This article’s headline is still misleading, these offenders could be blocked if the police think the person poses a danger to the public, however the policing policy gives no indication how this is to be implemented.
See the following that states “The police will be able to refuse permission for a name change on these official documents when they are satisfied that it is necessary to protect the public from sexual harm. “
Surely the fact someone has been convicted of this crime should be enough!