Third of child sex offenders escape with police caution

Almost a third of paedophiles in London are escaping with only a police warning, it was revealed today.

In the last year the Metropolitan force cautioned 571 people accused of abusing children out of the 1,386 cases reported. This means 29.2 per cent were allowed to go free.

The figures were revealed after a Freedom of Information request was sent to 33 forces. Nationwide 8,043 people were charged and 2,764 let off with a verbal warning.

The statistics included 20 who raped girls under 16 and eight who attacked young boys. Today the NSPCC demanded to know why so many abusers were "getting off lightly". Lib-Dem spokesman Chris Huhne said: "It is unacceptable for anyone who rapes a child to be given a slap on the wrist."

Police have launched a legal bid to stop paedophile Gary Glitter going abroad. The former pop star, 65, who was deported back to Britain a year ago after a jail term for sex offences in Vietnam, wants to take a holiday in the south of France. Officers fear he could sneak into Spain where the age of consent is 13.