Sir Michael Bichard, who headed up the inquiry into the Soham murders, said yesterday that police forces that fail to make improvements should be "named and shamed".

Bichard, who was publishing a report into the progress made by police forces in implementing his recommendations, called on the home secretary to monitor the development of a new vetting system for people working with children and vulnerable adults.

Sir Michael said he was impressed by much of the work done to improve the system which had allowed Ian Huntley to get a job as a school caretaker - even though he had been accused of a string of sex offences.