THE Government is looking for a new location for a bail hostel after plans for one in Headington fell through amid an outcry from residents.

The Ministry of Justice last night confirmed it was looking for another property in the city after the landlord of a property in Headley Way, Headington, pulled out.

It will be Oxford’s third Bail Accommodation and Support Service (Bass) venue, which houses criminals jailed for burglary, theft and violent attacks, as well as those awaiting trial.

But because the half-way houses are listed as private accommodation, Government officials refuse to say where they are.

Ministry of Justice spokesman Suzanne Colley said the scheme, managed by housing firm Stonham, is for low-risk offenders.

She said: “Bass properties are private residences intended for people who are considered by the courts to be eligible for release on bail, but who do not have a suitable address to be bailed to.

“Those assessed as high-risk of harm, or charged or convicted of sex offences, cannot be placed in these properties.

“Service users are liable to recall to prison or the courts if they break the terms of their release.

“Stonham already provides two Bass accommodation properties in Oxford and there is a need for one additional property in the city.”

Last week, plans to open a hostel at 30 Headley Way collapsed after the landlord requested her contract with Stonham be torn up.

More than 30 people protested outside the house last month and a Facebook group and petition were launched.

In 2009, Headington was highlighted as a suitable place for a bail hostel in a leaked Government memo.

Noam Bleicher, who lives near a private bail hostel in Abingdon Road, Oxford, said criminals have to be housed somewhere.

He said: “There is no value in accommodating these people away from residents, children and elderly people, as this would imply housing them in a town with no residents.

“If we are to rehabilitate offenders, or supervise those on bail, we have to do it in a place where they may come into contact with wider society, or the object of the exercise is defeated.

“If this is abused on an individual basis sanctions are available.”

No person convicted of any crime which falls under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 Schedule Three – including rape, sexual assault and incest – can stay at the hostels, or those under 18 or deemed a risk to the public.

Stonham spokesman Rachel Sunachie said: “We aim to house people near to their place of work so they don’t lose their job and are also close to families where appropriate.”