OUR campaign for a change in the law over child kidnap has already led to the issue being debated in the Home Office.

The Press and Sara Payne's charity, Phoenix Survivor, are calling for a new law so that strangers who abduct children can receive banning orders and be put on the Sex Offenders' Register.

Now Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker has given assurances that it is "looking at this issue in detail".

The Press launched a campaign after the case of Terry Delaney, who tried to snatch 13-year-old Natalie Hick at a bus stop in Acomb, revealed a loophole in the law.

Natalie, of Strensall, bravely gave up her right to anonymity to describe the horrifying moment Delaney tried to grab her, to give her support to the campaign.

Child abduction is not currently listed under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which means those convicted cannot be put on the Sex Offenders' Register, or have orders made against them.

The Press reported how previous Home Secretary Charles Clarke gave indications he would look at a law change - and we are petitioning his replacement John Reid to make it happen.

Now Mr Coaker has written to York MP Hugh Bayley, who is backing The Press campaign, to say: "This is something officials have been asked to consider and I can assure you that your views on the subject will be taken into account."

He said the 2003 Sexual Offences Act allowed judges to make sexual offences prevention orders (SOPOs) which could ban offenders from anything from "being alone with children" to "being within a certain distance of schools or playgrounds".

He went on: "If an offender breaches a SOPO he commits a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and while the order is in force the offender must, if he is not already, comply with the notification requirements."

Notification requirements means the individual must go on the Sex Offenders' Register and give their details and address to the police, who would ensure they followed the terms of the SOPO.

Mr Coaker said offences under the Child Abduction Act 1984 were not on a list of qualifying crimes for a SOPO - but there was "power to amend" the list.

He added: "There are a number of options that need to be considered, but I can assure you that we are looking at this issue in detail."

Mr Bayley said: "I welcome the news that the Government is looking into the issue, so that in future the legal loophole which means orders cannot be made against individuals charged with child abduction can be closed."

The MP wrote to former Home Secretary Charles Clarke quoting the case of Delaney, and the fact that Judge Paul Hoffman, who jailed the predator for four years, was concerned he could not impose any sexual offences prevention orders.

Mr Bayley said in his letter: "The judge in this case appears to have come to a conclusion - based on the evidence adduced in the trial or the probation reports before sentencing - that Delaney will present a serious risk to children in the future when he is released from prison."

Updated: 09:32 Wednesday, May 24, 2006