Oxford probation centre protesters target open day (From Oxford Mail)

Oxford probation centre protesters target open day

11:30am Saturday 13th June 2009 in News By Andrew Ffrench

Residents of Mill Street protesting outside the Oxford Town Hall yesterday, including MP Dr Evan Harris, second from right, councillor Susanna Pressel, front, and Dan Rawstone, right

MAKE your voices heard — that’s the message to residents who are opposed to a new probation centre planned for West Oxford.

Last month, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Evan Harris took campaigners to London to seek assurances that the proposed opening of the centre in Mill Street, Osney, would not be rushed through.

Many residents are worried about the impact of 350 criminals, including some sex offenders, regularly walking to the centre at Trajan House in Mill Street.

The centre does not need planning permission, and neighbours are concerned that it will have a detrimental effect on the family-friendly atmosphere of the neighbourhood.

At the meeting with Justice Minister David Hanson, he promised that there would be a public meeting on the issue, and the Thames Valley probation service has scheduled an open day for Monday at the town hall in St Aldate’s.

Campaigners are urging as many residents as possible to attend, to convey the message that the new centre is not welcome, and should be opened elsewhere.

Father-of-two Dan Rawstone said: “I think the probation service has given us very short notice for this open day, but that won’t prevent lots of residents from attending.

“I think as many people as possible should go along to show their dissatisfaction and anger at the lack of consultation and inappropriateness of the site. We will try to turn out in force and make our views known in a powerful and forceful way — but we certainly won’t be causing any kind of civil disturbance.

“This is a good opportunity to get the message across that if this new centre goes ahead it could destroy a community which houses lots of young families.”

Mr Rawstone, 34, who lives with his wife Jenny and two children, aged one and three, said some residents would struggle to attend the open day because it was being held between 2pm and 7pm on a working day.

The ministry has proposed leasing offices at Trajan House as part of a restructuring the county’s probation service.

Gerry Marshall, Thames Valley Probation's chief officer, said: “We are holding the open day to showcase our work to residents of Oxfordshire and explain the breadth of work we do with victims of serious crimes and with a wide range of offenders.

“The focus of our work is public protection and a reduction in reoffending. The open day will give visitors the chance to see displays and photographs of our work and to get a clearer understanding of what we do.

“Visitors will also be able to view the projected exterior view and initial floor plans for our proposed office in Trajan House in Mill Street.”

Mr Marshall said everyone was welcome to attend the open day, where probation service staff would be available to answer questions.