Right to know about hostels

10:24am Tuesday 6th May 2008

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IT is true that these days people know far less about their neighbours than they once did.

We lead busier lives and work long hours so there is far less time to stop and talk than there once was.

But that is no excuse for bail hostels being allowed to open in residential areas without residents or even the local councils being consulted in any way or given the chance to object.

It may be true that no one is going to agree with the idea of having such a place on their own doorstep and it may also be true that some hostels run by Essex-based company ClearSprings have been operating successfully for sometime without widespread knowledge of their locations.

But that isn't the point.

Facilities housing convicted offenders and those awaiting trial do pose potential problems for people living nearby especially if they have children, and officials are missing the point if they think it is better to move in and open them secretly.

A frank and open discussion, detailing the professional way such premises are managed, is the way to forward.

That way local residents can reassured from the start and not frightened by wild, unsubstantiated rumours.