A BAIL hostel which led to residents on a housing estate being threatened with weapons, is to close.

Residents had campaigned against the offenders’ accommodation in Chestnut Close, Downham, saying they had found syringes in the street and were afraid to let their children outside to play.

Figures show crime nearly doubled in the area in the first six months it was open.

The Meadows Area Panel organised a 221-signature petition to get the women’s hostel moved from the Meadows Estate which was presented to Lewisham Council by ex-ward councillor Mark Morris.

On Saturday, Lewisham East MP Bridget Prentice will hand over a letter to residents from Justice Minister David Hanson confirming the closure.

The offenders’ accommodation 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.

Last week Mr Hanson told a radio programme: “I’m not going to defend the situation in Lewisham.

“It was a very poor example of the scheme not working well.”

Meadows Area Panel chairman Jane Duffy said: “We’ve been doing a lot of high fives since we heard.

“The writing’s on the wall now. We’ve had enough.”

Ms Prentice said: “Above all else, this is a triumph for local residents.

“I’m glad that common sense prevailed in this case.”

Lewisham Council had also opposed the hostel, which has been vacant for the past two weeks, saying it had not been consulted on the location.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock said: “It’s been a struggle.

“The difficulty was the company didn’t come and talk to the council before they set the hostel up.

“They just blundered in and did it.”

ClearSprings is to be given one month’s notice before the property is withdrawn from the scheme and will need to find an alternative site in the borough.