New laws allowing paedophiles who abuse children abroad to be prosecuted in Britain will come into force next week, it has been announced.
The legislation permits police to bring charges against the "sex tourists" even if their activities were legal in the country where they took place.
For example, a pervert who has sex with a child under 16 could be prosecuted on his return to the UK even if the child was above the local age of consent.
The law will take force on Monday, Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said.
Mr Coaker said: "I hope this new law will send a tough message to deter travelling sex tourists.
"We already have some of the toughest sex offences legislation in the world but we are determined to do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable, at home and abroad.
"From July 14, anyone who commits an offence against children abroad will face the prospect of prosecution for the same offence here even though it may not have been an offence in that country."
Chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre Jim Gamble said: "No offender should be able to escape to foreign jurisdictions in order to abuse children and young people, or possess images and materials that show sexual exploitation without living in fear of UK police working with their international counterparts to bring that person to account."
"This measure is a significant step forward and sends out a very clear and unequivocal message to offenders everywhere - and no matter whether they are in the UK or abroad - we will track you, we will bring you to account and you will face the consequences of your criminal actions."
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