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 (CRB), 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 are 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 CRB was doing 40,000 checks a
week, but the Government would now consult on the proposals.
"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.
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