Killers trying to join the Scouts

KILLERS, paedophiles, benefit fraudsters and arsonists tried to get work as volunteers with the Scouts last year.

Other applicants had convictions for soliciting prostitutes, growing cannabis, evading rail fares and racist chanting at a football match.

A trawl of criminal records by the Disclosure and Barring Service also found computer hacking, deserting the armed forces, impersonating a policeman, selling fake goods and displaying a threatening or abusive sign.

The system exposed people who had been convicted of dealing heroin, cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines.

Applicants had notched up offences of manslaughter, false imprisonment, kidnapping, robbery, indecent assault and 354 cases where they had a record for drink-driving.

A spokesperson for the Scouts said: “DBS checks are doing what they are designed to do, preventing unsuitable adults from volunteering in the Scouts.

“For over a decade we have seen thousands more young people join up. For that reason, we also need a record number of adult volunteers.

“These local heroes give up their time to help us prepare young people with essential skills to help them succeed in life.”

The DBS said its job was just to inform the organisation making the application if the person had a criminal record.

It said: “The recruitment decision is made by the employer or other body.”

TWIN sisters Theresa Massey and Julia Wellings,

45, of Welling, Kent, are in the Guinness Book Of Records after completing

100 marathons together.