The Home Office is to target paedophiles who travel abroad for sex by changing the law to allow for their prosecution in the UK, it said on Friday.

In some countries either it is not illegal to possess indecent images of children or the age of consent is lower than 16. The new legislation, which takes effect from July 14, will see paedophiles facing prosecution in Britain even if those countries where they are based would not prosecute them.

'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,' Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said in a statement.

'I hope this new law will send a tough message to deter travelling sex tourists.'

Chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) Jim Gamble added: ' No offender should be able to escape to foreign jurisdictions in order to abuse children.'

Set up in 2006 to monitor suspected sex offenders, the CEOP is staffed by specialist police officers, computer experts and child welfare officials.

It also has links to the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies fighting paedophilia.

'This measure sends out a clear and unequivocal message to offenders everywhere - and no matter whether they're in the UK or abroad - we'll track you, we'll bring you to account and you'll face the consequences of your criminal actions,' said Gamble.