IT was distressing to read that Kate and Gerry McCann were studying pictures of paedophiles (including some from Britain) who were "known" to be in the area of Praia Da Luz, Portugal, at the time of the abduction of their daughter, Madeleine.

The fact that these "people" are allowed to travel as and when they please must alarm all parents either at home or on holiday.

Surely with the technology available to the authorities, controlling the movement of paedophiles should be paramount when assessing the protection of children.

Criminal convictions should be registered on an individual's passport as an absolute minimum, enabling the authorities of other countries to decide whether they wish to admit offenders.

Another suggestion that may not appeal to some is the surgical implant of a tracking device on an offender's brain making the illegal removal a major risk to the criminal's health.

Some may call this barbaric and against a paedophile's "human rights", but I make no apologies when assessing the risks to the human rights of our most innocent.

Kev McStravick, Darlington.