Dear Editor. - I quite understand that people are concerned to prevent children in our community from harm (Protest Against Sex Offender, August 4th). Having some knowledge and experience in the field of child welfare, I would like to draw a few things to your readers' attention.

First, there is no evidence that the risk to children from strangers is any greater than it has ever been. On the other hand, there is a lot of evidence that children are far more likely to be harmed by a member of their family than by a stranger.

Second, people who have abused children - whether family members, friends or strangers - need supervision and treatment to ensure that they do not do so again. (This is not to reflect on the justice of the present case in Fishguard, which I understand is subject to an appeal).

But they have to live somewhere; and if we all shout 'not here!' they may end up living, perhaps in secrecy, somewhere where the community is less vigilant and children are, therefore, more vulnerable.

There are other things we can do to protect children from harm, which might be more useful than demonstrating against alleged offenders. One is to give children and young people more rights - including the same legal protection from assault that adults have, and the right to be represented in community decision-making.

Another is to campaign for better treatment services for those children who have been seriously abused, so that they have a real chance to live a good life and eventually to bring up their own children in security.

There are several organisations working to achieve these objectives, who would be glad of your readers' support, such as the NSPCC, NCH Action for Children, Save the Children, and Children in Wales.

DR NIGEL THOMAS Cilshafe Fawr, Fishguard.