Criminals move in but residents given no say

11:39am Wednesday 7th May 2008

FIVE bail hostels are being set up in residential areas in Enfield to house criminals released early from prison and suspects awaiting trial.

They are opening despite the fact that there has been no consultation with local residents and little consultation with Enfield Council.

The hostels will be mainly located in the south east of the borough.

Because the supported accommodation, run under Government contract by Essex-based company ClearSprings, is provided in existing housing in residential areas no planning permission is required.

Cllr Ertan Hurer, cabinet member for community safety, said: "No councillor was informed as far as I know.

"This will put a strain on our stretched services and drug and alcohol programmes, and secondly there is the residents' fear of whether or not these people will commit a crime.

"People in the past have re-offended but it's not always the case."

Each house or flat will house three to four people released up to four-and-a-half months early on the Home Detention Curfew scheme, who have been electronically tagged or who are on police bail.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "It is simply not true to say that bail accommodation is being opened in secret.

"ClearSprings is under a contractual obligation to consult in areas where they are to open bail accommodation. Any reports that it has failed to do so will be investigated."

The supported accommodation is not monitored on a 24-hour basis, and ClearSprings, which refused to comment on the issue, admits on its website that the accommodation is "not in any way" secure.

A council spokesperson said: "The council has written to the Ministry of Justice outlining its concerns since the support for the people living in this accommodation appears to be limited.

"We are keen to ensure that Enfield will not take a disproportionate number compared with other London boroughs."

Of the 13 bail hostels proposed for Enfield, only five have been opened in the borough.

On its website ClearSprings says: "Only service users representing no risk of significant harm to others will be eligible for the scheme."

Among those excluded from the scheme are those convicted of sexual offences and arson.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Hanstock of Enfield Police said: "Yes, there are a number of bail hostels in Enfield, as there are in all London boroughs and across the country.

"Enfield Police are actively involved in monitoring and managing people who reside in these houses - which amounts to less than ten people."

The five hostels in Enfield are among 150 properties of this type run by ClearSprings in 130 towns and boroughs across the country.