Recently, there have been concerns raised about the locations of bail hostels.

Some national newspapers recently listed the postcodes of the location of these bail hostels

Like many other local councillors, I was concerned, but I was relieved to find that the only bail hostel in N E Lincs is situated in DN32, which is not in the Yarborough Ward, but this was not good news for anyone who lives in the DN32 postal area.

This morning on the Telegraph website they have revealed that the bail hostel is in Park Ward, but this still worries me because I believe that it is wrong that your local councillors did not know, and neighbouring residents were not consulted before it opened.

According to the Telegraph the nightmare of living close to a bail hostel has been revealed for the first time by a desperate Grimsby resident. 

The man, who did not want to be identified, has spoken out after a catalogue of frightening incidents near his home.

He lives in the same road Grimsby bail hostel, which is one of about 200 set up across the country without any public consultation.

Council officials, police and probation are notified, but councils have no right to veto the hostels unless they breach housing and planning rules.

The Telegraph knows the building, which houses suspects on bail, tagged criminals and convicted offenders, is in the Park Ward of Grimsby, but has decided not to release the exact location to avoid creating more problems for local residents.

The man says that living close to the bail hostel is “the worst thing in the world”.

He is so fed up with the behaviour of its residents that he has posted leaflets through the door of every home in the immediate are warning about it.

He said: “We fear for the safety of our lives and home every day. This bail hostel is sucking the life out of us.

“Life is stressful enough – why do we have to be burdened with unnecessary stress and worry?”

During the past two months, problems the resident claims he has encountered include:

• A high-risk burglar at the hostel.
• A heroin addict being housed there.
• Numerous cases of fire damage.
• Residents having no regard to neighbouring properties.
• Loud rave music in the early hours of the morning.
• Bail checks throughout the night.

The resident says that homeowners were not consulted before the hostel was opened.

“This is a serious issue and we and all local residents had every right to know that this was being planned,”

“We get woken up at all times of night, people hang about outside our home, there are always drunk people around and there are constant examples of anti-social behaviour.”

The resident, who has lived in his home for two years, became aware of the hostel in May 2008, and says that no homeowners were told about the plans until it was up and running.

His concerns have prompted my Liberal Democrat colleague, Councillor Steve Beasant, who is also North East Lincolnshire Council’s portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, to campaign for the hostel to be moved.Councillor Beasant says:

“I firmly believe that it is wrong that the Government do not consult on where they are placed.

“People who are going to be put back into the community from prison need to be integrated back in a controlled manner.

“For residents to have their power to object to this bail hostel taken away is totally wrong.

“I believe the Government is taking away people’s democratic right to object to schemes which are impacting upon their everyday life and well-being.”
Councillor Beasant has urged anybody who is concerned about the hostel to write to him. He will then use any letters he receives to campaign the Government on behalf of the residents.Write to Councillor Beasant 51 Columbia Road, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN32 8EA or email steve.beasant@gmail.com