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MP fires bail hostel warning
Local people could be "put at risk" if a bail hostel is opened in Staines, Spelthorne's Tory MP is warning.
David Wilshire sounded the alarm after discovering the town is on a list of possible locations drawn up by ClearSprings, a private contractor working for the government.
It has opened 160 bail hostels so far, which house offenders released before the end of their sentences, or people on bail awaiting trial who would otherwise be remanded in custody.
Mr Wilshire says councils have "little or no say" in where the hostels are located and residents are not consulted, even if the hostels are in residential areas.
He said: "Many crimes are committed by people on bail (one in six murders for example) and 4 out of 5 violent crime suspects who are arrested are released on bail.
"To make matters worse, almost half of all those who breach bail are let off with a fine, normally about £60 - less than a typical town hall fine for a householder who puts out rubbish on the wrong day."
The MP is calling on Justice Secretary Jack Straw to suspend the ClearSprings scheme and he wants Spelthorne Council to be "fully and properly consulted" before any action is taken on looking for a Staines site.
He also wants residents and neighbours to be notified and consulted before any decision is taken.
On Monday a spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "Clearsprings is under contract to the Government to provide rented accommodation to those leaving prison who do not have their own home.
"As Clearsprings is a landlord like any other, the firm does not need to consult with members of the public before renting out a private property.
"However, the terms of their contract with the Government demand that they fully consult the police and local authorities about the location of the properties they rent.
"In the wake of concerns expressed by some local authorities, directly to Government, earlier this year, the Government has reminded Clearsprings of the importance of fulfilling this obligation.
"The Government is now confident that Clearsprings is meeting its obligations to consult."
We'll bring you updates on this story as we get them, but in the meantime we want to hear your views on this subject. Is Mr Wilshire right to raise this issue or is it scaremongering? Post your comments below.
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