Plans to reform the country's sex crime legislation to combat "horrendous" abusers such as internet paedophiles, have been announced by the home secretary.

Changes on the horizon could include the introduction of a specific offence of child abuse and the reformation of rape laws.

The shake-up will be based on a paper published in 2000, called Setting the Boundaries, which was hailed as the most comprehensive review of sexual offences for more than 100 years.

David Blunkett, speaking at a conference on modernising the criminal justice system, did not confirm which areas of the document would be adopted, but said that changes were much needed.

Children exploited

He said: "Sex offences in terms of the 19th century laws and definitions which have been consulted on in the last two years, and sex offenders in terms of updating our laws to take account of the most horrendous events that have been in the headlines in this country."

The home secretary is promising reforms

Mr Blunkett's official spokesman later confirmed he was referring to the publicity on paedophile rings and how children were increasingly being stalked by paedophiles via the internet.

Mr Blunkett told the audience in London that the government planned to legislate in the next session of Parliament on sex offences and sex offenders.

The 150-page document published in July 2000 suggested a new offence of persistent child abuse and new laws on sex slave trafficking.

It said there should be tougher sentences for sex offenders, and the law should make it easier to prosecute rapists.

Also raised was the prospect of replacing incest with a new offence of family sexual abuse to cover not just assaults by blood relatives but also foster and adoptive parents and live-in partners.

Gay sex laws

While sex offenders will face tougher measures, other areas of the law could be "modernised" with a softer approach - particularly in relation to gay sex.

These laws could see the abolition of offences such as buggery, gross indecency and soliciting by men - the so-called "cottaging" laws.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes welcomed the government's "wholesale reform of the law on sexual offences".

He said: "Partial reform will not be sufficient, and it is right that the government wishes to take more time and get these outdated laws reformed properly."

Mr Hughes said the new Bill should be presented to Parliament in draft form this year, with legislation by no later than 2003.