A senior police officer has questioned whether a new government scheme meant to protect children from paedophiles will be effective.
Under the new 'Vetting and barring scheme' millions of people will undergo criminal record checks before they can have contact with children.
Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, reflected widespread public concern about the scheme.
"It is a blunt instrument," he told the Police Superintendents' Association conference in Warwickshire on Wednesday.
“I utterly understand why some people do not feel they should be subject to a check simply because they want to volunteer to work with young people
"Many people see it as a step too far and the question is, Is it a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Is there another way we could be doing this?
"It will be expensive. And if police are included, we are going to end up paying an agency to check our own intelligence which we own in the first place."
The scheme covers employees and volunteers in the education, care and health industries, affecting some 11.3 million people.
Last week, in response to public disquiet, children's secretary Ed Balls announced a review of the scheme's rules.
In May 2008 the Independent Safeguarding Authority was established and from October 2009 employers, social services and professional regulators will have a legal duty to report anyone who was sacked or resigned and who may pose a risk.
The scheme covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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