PAEDOPHILES could be given drugs to curb their distorted sexual urges, it was revealed this week.

Such "chemical castration" will be used on some convicted sex offenders who volunteer for the treatment to stop them re-offending, Home Secretary John Reid revealed yesterday.

The idea has been welcomed by Bournemouth mum Heidi Romero, 37, of the child protection scheme Parentally Aware Neighbourhood.

She said: "If they want to try the injections on people who are less of a risk then that is a good idea, but someone who has seriously interfered with a child should be locked up for life to keep them off the streets.

"What if they forget to take the injection, or it doesn't work? How are you going to explain that to the mum or dad who have found their child in terrible circumstances?

"I think they need to review the justice system and review sentences for these crimes before they start worrying about injections."

The plans are part of a raft of measures to crack down on perverts, which include compulsory lie detector tests to see if they are tempted to re-offend.

And, for the first time, parents will have access to information on convicted paedophiles - they will be able check out anyone who is in regular contact with their children.

But the proposals stop short of introducing Sarah's Law' which would have allowed everyone access to information about sex offenders.

Heidi, of Wickham Road, Pokesdown, added: "It's all well and good checking on someone, but what if they haven't been caught? It won't solve the problem and could lull parents into a false sense of security.

"You've got to be vigilant. If you are bringing a man into your home who isn't the father of your child they you've got to have common sense and caution. The children come first."

Libido-suppressants have already been used on child sex offenders in the USA and parts of Europe. Studies show the re-offending rate of those treated dropped from 43 per cent to five per cent. In some American states chemical castration is compulsory for repeat offenders.

Professor Colin Pritchard, of the school of health and social care at Bournemouth University, also backed treatment for some child sex offenders.

"You have to differentiate between a mild headache and meningitis," he said.

"In terms of what John Reid is suggesting you have to differentiate between the treatable, the controllable and those you can't do anything for who are dangerous.

"We do need to be more understanding and reach out to some of these men who want help and don't like how they feel."

But he said a small proportion of offenders were so dangerous they should be kept in prison.

He added: "They should stay in prison until they can prove they are safe to live among us.

"The general public could then be reassured they were a lot safer than it used to be because we would be taking care of the dangerous."