People
working with children could be compulsorily fingerprinted in an effort to avoid
paedophiles getting close to vulnerable youngsters, it has been announced.
An
independent review of the Criminal Records Bureau, commissioned by the Home
Office after the bureau failed to vet many teachers in time for the start of
the September 2002 term, has recommended a radical overhaul of the system.
Among
the recommendations presented in a report by troubleshooter Patrick Carter, is
a suggestion that applicants to sensitive posts should be fingerprinted as well
as being cross-checked against police records.
Carter
recommended the measure for children’s home staff, foster parents and
prospective adopters, but said it should not apply to teachers.
He
said the CRB project had been "badly botched", and recommended
introducing electronic applications to speed up criminal record checks.
Home
Office minister Lord Falconer said the Government would now consult on the
proposals.
Falconer
said the bureau was doing 40,000 checks a week, 60 per cent more than last
summer.
"The
new measures will need careful implementation, which cannot happen overnight.
But we are confident they will put the CRB on a firmer foundation," he
said.
