SEX offenders should be on an electronic register which parents can search to know if someone dangerous is living in their community according to an election candidate.

Paul Martin, Labour candidate in Glasgow Provan, said he will bring forward a member’s bill to create a register if he is re-elected to the Scottish Parliament.

He has the backing of Margaret-Ann Cummings, whose 8 year-old son Mark was murdered by previously convicted sex offender, Stuart Leggate, in Royston in 2004.

Mr Martin has been pushing for recommendations of the Justice Committee to be implemented to give housing providers powers to be made aware if they are re-housing sex offenders in their community.

He wants to go further with plans for a “Mark’s Law” and the database for parents.

Mr Martin said: “A searchable web-based public registry would help to increase awareness of offenders thought to be at high risk of reoffending. We have a responsibility to consider this if we are going to keep our children safe from harm.

“I have worked with Margaret-Ann and the Keep Children Safe campaign for a long time but we are seeing too little action. The Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament made 33 recommendations in 2006 but so far crucial measures have not been implemented and many of the others are no longer fit for purpose.”

Mr Martin and Ms Cummings took their campaign to the Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre to call for public support.

Ms Cummings has led the Keep Children Safe Campaign calling for parents to be made aware if a convicted sex offender is living in their community.

She said: “We have been campaigning for Mark’s Law for many years and we are frustrated at the lack of progress that has been made.

“I believe parents deserve to know if a dangerous sex offender is living in their community so they can take reasonable steps to keep their children safe.

“If we can prevent another family going through what I and too many others have endured, then this will have been worth it.”