Punishment needs no crime

SEXUAL Risk Orders were introduced four years ago to protect the public from potential offenders who have no convictions – but are still thought to pose a threat.

They are controversial on civil liberty grounds as they allow authorities to take action against people despite not having evidence to prove they have committed a crime.

An order may be made where a person is believed to have committed an act of a sexual nature as a result of which there is reasonable cause to believe that he or she poses a risk to the public.

It can cover a broad range of behaviour and the ‘acts’ may not in themselves be sexual, but intended to enable future abuse. A survey indicated at least 50 SROs were introduced across the UK in the first two years.