SUPPORT is flooding in for our campaign to close a loophole in the law which prevents child snatchers being put on the Sex Offenders' Register or banned from working with youngsters.

The Press has teamed up with the Phoenix Survivors charity, headed by Sara Payne, the mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne, to launch a petition asking the Government to change the law.

Schools across York have backed our call for a Stranger Abduction Law, so that anyone who tries to kidnap a child in future can be prevented from mixing with young people.

Thirteen-year-old Natalie Hick, who bravely agreed to be named and pictured to tell how offender Terry Delaney, 52, tried to snatch her at a bus stop in Acomb, received tremendous support from staff at her school, Millthorpe Secondary, in South Bank.

Natalie's head teacher, Tony Wootton said: "We are very concerned about child protection issues and do everything we can to ensure our pupils are looked after in a safe environment.

"We will be looking closely at the campaign to see whether it is something that we can be involved with."

Petitions are now being sent to schools across the city, so staff and parents can sign up to our campaign to have stranger abduction listed under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, allowing judges to make orders restricting their movements.

Mark Barnett, head teacher of Westfield Primary School, in Acomb, said: "I was discussing the case with my wife and after the abduction of a minor, of course there's got to be measures to protect other children.

"I think it is a loophole in the law that needs filling and the person has to be put on the register. It is an absolute nonsense if they are not."

Karl Jarvis, head teacher at Hob Moor Community Primary School in Acomb, said: "Whatever can be done to protect children is so important and I applaud what The Press is trying to do.

"I will be looking further into this issue and I am very pleased that The Press has brought it to our attention."

Helen Davey, head teacher of St Barnabas' C of E Primary School, in Leeman Road, said: "I would have thought there would have been procedures in place to prevent child abductors coming into contact with children and I will be looking closely at what we can do to help."

Andrew Calverley, the head of Park Grove Primary, in The Groves, said: "It looks like a loophole in the law.

"I would expect a child abductor to be identified to the authorities and to have restrictions imposed upon them.

"I would be very upset if we weren't able to protect our pupils because of this."

John Thompson, head teacher of Lowfield Secondary School, in Acomb, said: "All teachers are concerned about child protection issues, and it is something we are very keen to keep on top of.

"It is very difficult for us to be fully aware of everything happening in our pupils' lives - but the York local authority keeps us up-to-date on legislation so we can fulfil our responsibilities."

Becky White, who is the head teacher of Bishopthorpe Infants School, said: "I will certainly be raising the issue at our next governors' meeting. "I would be devastated if something like this happened to one of our pupils."

Updated: 09:18 Saturday, May 06, 2006