York | Archive | 2002 | September | 10
From the Evening Press, first published Tuesday 10th Sep 2002.
THE Evening Press has been flooded with phone calls and emails from residents furious at not being told that convicted paedophiles and murderers could be living at a nearby hostel.
Scores of people were stunned to discover that Southview Hostel, in Boroughbridge Road, York, is now an "all-purpose" hostel, whose residents could be serving sentences for crimes such as child sex offences, rape or murder.
Most of the local community - including nearby Poppleton Road School - was not told of the change implemented on January 1.
Several worried parents chaperoned their children to the school after seeing the report.
Holgate ward councillor Liz Edge - who represents Poppleton Road School - said: "I think it's appalling that no one was told. I thought it would be a common courtesy for them to let me know, as I've been in regular contact with the hostel and made regular visits in the past."
Phil Wilkinson, from Lavender Grove, said: "I've lived here for five years and knew nothing about it.
"It's like our kids are being dangled on a line as bait."
John Briggs, from Beckfield Lane, said: "The hostel should be moved to the middle of the North York Moors."
An email from a worried parent said: "My initial feeling was of betrayal by the probation services, as we were assured that no person convicted of a serious criminal offence would be housed there.
"My son attends Poppleton Road Primary school and has now started to walk to school on his own. However, I may now have to take this away from him as I would not feel that he was safe."
Another email, from mother-of-two Paula Fawcett, said: "Was nothing learned from the Soham murders or Sarah Payne?
"Would they rehabilitate an alcoholic by letting them work in a bar? Would they give a thief a job in a bank?
"Why put these innocent children at risk by putting sex offenders so close to a primary school - it's like giving candy to a baby."
Martin Murphy, North Yorkshire's assistant chief probation officer, said regular meetings were publicised for residents in nearby Lavender Grove concerning the hostel.
But only a handful attended.
"We didn't think it would be such a big deal," he said.
"The community are no less safe than they were before the changes.
"Offenders have to go somewhere - it's better they live in a hostel where they can be supported and watched.
"I accept we didn't leaflet the local school, but I now intend to speak to the head teacher so parents can be reassured."
Updated: 12:09 Tuesday, September 10, 2002
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