People guilty of violent crime will be placed on a register

For the first time, people convicted of violent crimes will be placed alongside sex offenders on a national register, BBC Radio Five Live has learned.

A trial is underway in Wandsworth, south London, with Lancashire Police set to follow suit next month.

The Violent and Sex Offenders Register, known as Visor, is hailed as a major advance in tightening controls on dangerous convicts.

Visor will enable police and probation workers across the country to obtain vital information about violent criminals after their release from prison.

They hope it will ensure they are closely monitored.

It is hoped Visor will stop violent offenders falling through the net, by moving from one area to another.