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The move would ensure the 100,000 registered sex offenders in the UK are marked as dangerous even if they change their name. Sarah Champion, a Labour MP, said many paedophiles are “slipping under the radar” and is proposing the amendment to the policing bill

The former shadow abuse prevention minister told Daily Mirror: “They are slipping under the radar with devastating consequences. If the name-change process was joined up it would stop the sex offender from successfully receiving a DBS check.”

Sex offenders face five years in jail if they do not inform police of name changes – but they are rarely caught. Over the last five years 16,000 offenders have breached notification requirements and at least 900 have gone missing.

And charities have backed Ms Champion’s campaign.

Emily Konstantas, of the Safeguarding Alliance, said: “Offenders are using this loophole to evade justice and to continue abusing children.”

The government confirmed it is looking into the move.

Safeguarding minister Victoria Atkins said: “We are looking at the issue seriously.”

For £42.44, adults can get a name change registered at the Royal Courts of Justice within days. But there is nothing stopping anyone making a do-it-yourself deed poll by writing down their new name in the presence of two witnesses.

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