It was disappointing to read the remarks by Detective Superintendent Alan Ladley (The Argus, April 13).

He is obviously unaware of the effectiveness of Megan's Law - the American equivalent of Sarah's Law - where it operates.

Openness and transparency are not the answers in themselves but they are much better than the present state secrecy.

Mr Ladley seems to want to trust only the police but the public have a right to know. If they abuse the knowledge they are given and in doing so break the law, charges can be brought.

I have heard senior officers try to reassure the public that paedophiles are adequately monitored. Yet other officers say how overstretched the police are.

They can't have it both ways.

They either have the resources to supervise paedophiles properly or they don't. They should share the information properly and if any paedophile flees as Mr Ladley fears, they too can be prosecuted.

Anyway, we live in such a surveillance society, it beggars belief they could stay on the run for too long.

  • K Thomas, Old Shoreham Road, Hove