This is the agreement between Lancashire police, the Probation Service and regional medis that more than 50 editors have signed.

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Aim:

This agreement aims to encourage thoughtful and responsible handling of publicity issues by all signatories in relation to high-risk offenders. This will be achieved by a recognition of the need to see community safety as a guiding principle.

Agreement:

The following points were agreed and will be undertaken by the organisations indicated:

Lancashire Constabulary and Probation Service will each provide facilities centrally to deal with media enquiries about high-risk offenders in the community and will make every effort to deal promptly and helpfully with such matters. The media will direct their enquiries only to these points and not to local officers of either organisation.

When applying for Sex Offender Orders, the police will adopt a proactive approach and will give full consideration to notifying appropriate local media and discussing with them any particularly sensitive issues which might help editors as they exercise their judgment about coverage.

In all cases involving disclosure to third parties about the presence of high-risk offenders in the community, the police and Probation Service will seriously consider disclosure to appropriate media editors on a case-by-case basis.

If a reporter has sensitive information concerning a high-risk offender and is considering preparing a report, the media editor will have in place a policy or procedure to ensure that consequent actions are decided with the direct involvement of that editor of his/her nominated deputy.

Editors will, whever possible, check the accuracy of sensitive information about high-risk offenders with the police and Probation Service, particularly when publicity could be expected to result in any disruption of supervision of the offender.

If a photograph or address of a high-risk offender is obtained, editors will consult the police and Probation Service about the potential impact of its publiciation and will carefully consider any advice given before making their decision on what to publish. Particular consideration will be given in cases where publicity could result in vigilante action or in driving a suspected offender "underground".

Editors will strive to maintain high standards of accuracy, particularly in respect of sensitive terminology: for example, avoidance of the word "paedophile" as a blanket term for sex offenders. Whenever possible, they will publish only known facts rather than speculation.

Editors will try to ensure that the impact of publicity of previous victims of the offender is carefully considered when making decisions about coverage.

The agreement, signed in March, 1999, was reviewed in September, 1999, and will now be reviewed annual)