CONVICTED sex offenders who could have been using Northwich's canals and rivers to avoid signing the Sex Offenders Register will soon have no place to hide.

A loophole in the present law means sex offenders, including paedophiles, who have no fixed abode do not have to give their addresses to police to sign the register because in effect, they do not have an address.

They are also supposed to inform police of any imminent change of address.

As the law currently stands, sex offenders have 48 hours in which to register with police when they move into new area but those living on barges and boats can simply move on without having to inform the authorities.

This loophole has meant some of them taking to the canals or travelling around the country, never staying in one location.

Many have found ways in which to escape registration even though their history of paedophile offending means that they should be registered.

In effect, they have become invisible to police, who have had great difficulty in keeping tabs on their movements.

Now a new clause of the Sexual Offenders Act 1997 is currently before Parliament, which will deal with 'homeless' people.

A spokesman from the Home Office said: "Clause 85 of the sexual offences law was put before Parliament in February of this year.

"It seeks to deal with offenders who have no fixed abode.

"It is difficult to know when the law will actually be passed but it is well on its way."

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk