PROBATION bosses have welcomed an East Lancashire MP's call for a review of government policy which allows dangerous sex offenders to live in bail hostels.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has held talks with Home Secretary Jack Straw to express concern over the case of a sex offender who sparked a police manhunt when he disappeared after leaving an Accrington bail hostel.

Paedophile Michael Wilson, 38, went missing after he was put on a train by probation officers in Accrington, who had decided he was too dangerous to stay at Highfield House bail hostel. Wilson, who is banned from approaching children, was arrested in Blackpool three days later.

Hyndburn Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe described the incident as "dreadful" after he held talks with worried residents who live near the hostel in Lydia Street.

Coun Britcliffe has ordered the borough's legal experts to examine claims that the housing of sex offenders goes against assurances given by the Home Office when the hostel opened in 1974.

Mr Pope said that concerns from people in his constituency had prompted him to ask Home Office Minister Paul Boateng for a policy review.

He said that under the previous Government, the Home Office had changed guidelines and allowed sex offenders to stay in places like Highfield House. He wants the Home Office to review that policy.

Mr Pope said: "Sex offenders believed to be low-risk can be housed in bail hostels because they are judged by their category of risk, not by the category of their offence.

"My second concern is that dangerous people are being placed at hostels like Highfield House while they are being assessed."

Mr Pope said he had held talks with Mr Straw, who shared his concerns and added that he would be writing to Mr Straw.

Lancashire Probation Service has launched its own inquiry into Wilson's disappearance.

Peter Simpson, Lancashire assistant chief probation officer, said: "A range of legislation has been introduced since 1997 to ensure greater control of sex offenders. Part of this strategy has been the accommodation of sex offenders in probation hostels or on bail at the end of a prison sentence.

"We would welcome Greg Pope's call for an open review by the Government of this policy because it makes heavy demands on probation staff and places strain on local community relationships.

"To date most offenders have managed very effectively in hostels. We can only continue to achieve this with co-operation and understanding from the public and the media."

Jack Straw has ordered a separate investigation to be carried out by the Home Office, which is likely to take place once the probation service has submitted its findings.

Wilson, has been remanded in custody by Southport magistrates and is set to appear before the court again on Monday.

Wilson, 38, of no fixed address, is charged with breaching his bail conditions following his disappearance from Accrington. He also faces a separate charge of burglary.

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