A MINISTER has slammed the “poor” bail hostel in Catford and said he expects it to close following a review.
Residents say the controversial offenders’ accommodation in Chestnut Close, Catford, has been empty for the past 13 days.
The hostel is run by property managers ClearSprings, along with another in Forest Hill, for low-risk offenders either on bail or early release, under contract from the Ministry of Justice.
In a radio interview justice minister David Hanson said: “I’m not going to defend the situation in Lewisham.
“It was a very poor example of the scheme not working well.”
Residents campaigned to have the hostel closed, saying they had been threatened with weapons, found syringes in the street and were afraid to let their children outside to play.
Meadows Area Panel chairman Jane Duffy said: “We’ve been doing a lot of high fives since we heard what he said.
“The writing’s on the wall now. We’ve had enough.”
Lewisham Council has also opposed the hostel, saying it had not been consulted.
ClearSprings is now looking for an alternative site.
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