A CAMPAIGN group demanding the closure of Linden Bank Bail Hostel, which houses sex offenders in Sandbach, has been meeting with probation services.

Leaders of the Time2Go action group joined a liaison group at the Elworth centre to discuss its management of serious offenders.

The meeting has followed a stepping up in protests by local residents after national newspapers reported that the centre was providing a home to a convicted rapist.

Protesters are furious that serious sex offenders are allowed to roam the local streets around the hostel, which is located near to a public park.

Despite accepting a posistion on the liaison group, Time2Go spokesman Janette Rathbone insists the public protests will continue.

She said: “As a concession and expression of goodwill, we have scaled the protests back to once a month. But we are determined that they will continue until things change.

“We are well aware that the hostel houses so-called petty criminals, as well as sex offenders. We know that everyone deserves a second chance and we fully accept and understand that.

“What we do not want is serious sexual offenders wandering about on our streets.

“Our first priority is to get the hostel to close. And if we cannot achieve that, then we want it downgraded so that it cannot accommodate such serious criminals.”

More than 500 people took part in recent demonstrations outside the hostel and the action group has also created a Facebook group to recruit more members and organise events.

Ms Rathbone added: “I was very sceptical about the liaison group at first, but we have to give it a chance.

“I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has taken part in our protests because it proves we are being heard.

“There are an awful lot of people who are living in fear of the sex offenders living in that building. At least now we’ll be kept in the loop.”

As well as residents and probation service members, the liaison group includes local councillors, police, Congleton MP Fiona Bruce and local head teachers.

The next meeting of the liaison group will take place in September. The next protest outside the hostel is on Sunday August 1.

What do you think? Email your thoughts to crewe@guardiangrp.co.uk.