PARENTS are calling for the number of paedophiles living in west Wiltshire to be revealed after perverts tried to snatch two schoolgirls in four days.

The mother of nine-year-old Sophie Gregson, who was the victim of an attempted abduction in Hilperton, believes people should know how many child sex offenders there are in the community so parents can protect their children.

Nicola Gregson, 28, has started a petition to send to MP Andrew Murrison objecting to laws, which she claims protect perverts rather than victims.

The campaign comes just a week after a second attempted snatch in Hilperton.

An 11-year-old girl was walking home from school on Thursday when a man tapped her on the shoulder and tried to pull her into a waiting car.

The incident was just four days after Mrs Gregson's daughter was followed by a man near Hilperton Marina.

The man waited in Marsh Road for Sophie to come out of a nearby shop and tried to beckon her into his car but she managed to escape.

Mrs Gregson said she was horrified at hearing what had happened to her young daughter and fears for the safety of other children.

She said: "As she came out of the store he got into a red car and started following her. He was going really slow and trying to win her confidence by calling her over to the car.

"I was so shocked when she got home, I rang the police straight away. You don't expect your children to be in danger on your own doorstep.

"We have all been watching what happened to Sarah Payne but it could have been real for us. It did not seem to be taken seriously until there was the second incident on Thursday.

"Sophie has been so scared to go out and won't sleep at night.

"People have said they have seen him around since in gardens and on the streets.

"Dangerous men like this don't stop and I am worried there will be a tragedy before he is found."

Mrs Gregson hopes to put petitions in nearby schools and shops calling for a change in the law.

She said: "A community should always know when they are around. If something happens at least we know we have done as much as we could.

"Knowing will not cause a panic, it will make people more vigilant."

A 31-year-old Melksham mother, whose 10-year-old son was abused by charity worker Peter Rayworth,

has also sent a letter to Dr Murrison

calling for a change in the existing law.

She said: "Schools need to let parents know when there has been an attempted abduction. We need Sarah's Law to protect our kids."

The man involved in the second snatch attempt is described as white, in his 30s, with dark hair. He wore glasses and drove a red, four-door saloon.

Police are treating both cases together but cannot confirm if they are linked.

Anyone with any information on either abduction attempt should call DC Alan Hardman on (01225) 763101.