In response to a local campaign for the introduction of Sarah’s Law, the Department of Home Affairs has established a working group to consider the matter. The group, which met for the first time this week, will look at the issue in the wider context of child protection arrangements in the Isle of Man. Chaired by Department of Home Affairs Member Mr Bill Malarkey, the group includes representatives from the campaign for Sarah’s Law, Victim Support, the Island Offender Management Service (Prison and Probation), and the IoM Constabulary. Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw said: ‘I am fully aware of the public interest in this issue and of the campaign to introduce Sarah’s Law into the Isle of Man. I received a petition at the July Tynwald and have subsequently met with members of the campaign who impressed me with the level of effort and commitment that they have applied to their research. ‘When the petition was handed to me, I also made a commitment to meet Sara Payne following Mr Bill Henderson’s offer to bring her to the Island, although regrettably this has not yet materialised.’ Mr Earnshaw added: ‘Given the level of interest, I did not feel it appropriate for there to be any further delay, and so asked my officers to set up a working group to consider all the relevant issues. It is a Departmental imperative that this review is undertaken and consideration given to any developments which can enhance our children’s safety. ‘The Department of Home Affairs is fully signed up to the Children’s Plan which places child safety at the top of our agenda, and has supported the work of the Safeguarding Children Board since its inception.’ It is intended that the group will report to the Home Affairs Minister by the end of the year with an assessment of current arrangements and any recommendations for improvement. Ends