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20/06/2006
NI paedophiles to be moved away from schools
The Northern Ireland Office has said that known paedophiles are to be moved from hostels located close to schools.
In a statement from the NIO said that the move was in line with a change in Home Office policy, which was announced at the weekend.
It is understood that there are currently around 13 sex offenders living in hostels based close to schools in the province, one of which is based on the Ormeau Road in south Belfast.
The Probation Board and other affected agencies said they are currently studying the policy to see how it will effect their housing of category 2 and 3 sex offenders.
Director of Operations at the Probation Board, Brian McCaughey, said that he has warned that moving sex offenders out of hostels could create "a false sense of security."
He said that although the Probation Board do not manage these hostels, they do use the services of around six of them - at least two of which are located in close proximity to schools.
Mr McCaughey added that if sex offenders are to be moved from these hostels, it will need to be carefully decided as to where they are to be placed.
He said that the change in government policy meant it might prove difficult to manage such offenders, if they were not living under supervision in hostels.
The Northern Ireland Office's statement also said that the location of sex offenders would be made known to parents and that they would be closely monitored by the authorities.
(EF/SP)
In a statement from the NIO said that the move was in line with a change in Home Office policy, which was announced at the weekend.
It is understood that there are currently around 13 sex offenders living in hostels based close to schools in the province, one of which is based on the Ormeau Road in south Belfast.
The Probation Board and other affected agencies said they are currently studying the policy to see how it will effect their housing of category 2 and 3 sex offenders.
Director of Operations at the Probation Board, Brian McCaughey, said that he has warned that moving sex offenders out of hostels could create "a false sense of security."
He said that although the Probation Board do not manage these hostels, they do use the services of around six of them - at least two of which are located in close proximity to schools.
Mr McCaughey added that if sex offenders are to be moved from these hostels, it will need to be carefully decided as to where they are to be placed.
He said that the change in government policy meant it might prove difficult to manage such offenders, if they were not living under supervision in hostels.
The Northern Ireland Office's statement also said that the location of sex offenders would be made known to parents and that they would be closely monitored by the authorities.
(EF/SP)
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