ONE of the greatest evils of the current age is the seemingly endless number of sex attacks in our towns and villages.

Just this week we've learned of the terrifying exploits of Kevin Turner who honed his internet skills in prison, only to unleash his warped perversions on innocent schoolgirls.

Turner was jailed for 11 years - unfortunately the authorities have not been able to throw away the key and when he is released his 'rehabilitation' will involve a whole raft of decision-making by various agencies.

Today we are told that lay advisor positions are being created on the body which decides how to control violent sex offenders in the county.

These lay people will advise on such matters as where offenders should reside and how they will be supervised on the road back to civilised society.

The move to involve 'ordinary citizens' is potentially a very good one. Of course, we will always need the expertise of professionals but sometimes professionals are too close to events and issues to deliver a truly objective opinion. Some may even say that on occasion they get it wrong because of the political correctness so far-reaching in many areas of work these days.

The bottom line is that it's all too easy for social workers and police to lose sight of the views of the man or woman in the street, and the consequence can mean an absence of common sense.

So full marks to this latest initiative. The lay advisors need to be chosen well but if they are, we may all benefit from the outcome.