A Bradford MP has called for more information on convicted paedophiles to go out automatically to the community.

Terry Rooney, Labour MP for Bradford North, is pressing Home Secretary Jack Straw to protect children by giving out information as a matter of course to headteachers when offenders are released into the community.

And he says people running organisations including playgroups, youth clubs, scout, girl guides and brownie packs should also be told as a matter of course when paedophiles move into their areas.

But today West Yorkshire Probation Service criticised his call and said it could leave parents being lulled into a false sense of security believing their children were only in danger from one source.

Mr Rooney is contacting Jack Straw after national concern about paedophiles following the abduction, sexual assault and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne in West Sussex.

Under existing law, agencies including the police and probation service hold case meetings to decide whether details should be released to outside individuals and organisations. That means schools and organisations dealing with people are not told automatically.

Paedophiles go on to a register for all sex offenders and are monitored when they are out in the community.

But Mr Rooney, who has three children and six grandchildren, said he did not believe information on paedophiles should be released to everyone.

He added: "That leaves it open to vigilante attacks. But I believe there is a strong case for head teachers and organisations dealing with children to be notified automatically."

His wife Susanne, a youth club leader, and former Bradford education committee chairman, said: "I believe the information should be given to those who may be affected by it. But I do not think a sex offenders' register should be open to anyone who wants to see it."

But a spokesman from West Yorkshire Probation Service said: "I think the situation is best taken care of by the police and other agencies. There is a real danger that people could be lulled into a false sense of security by believing children are at risk from only one source.