It should first be noted that this bail hostel is used to house a wide range of people on probation and those that are in need of accommodation for rehabilitation. We do not condemn them. However, it is also used as a bail hostel for those that pose a significant danger to children. We request, that those bailed for crimes against children and sexual offences are housed else where away from parks and schools.

I am an apprehensive parent residing in Langley Park, scared for the safety of my children due to a disturbing rise in child harassment. Just recently, I was stopped by a stranger on the street inquiring about the school my children attend. Moreover, we are still healing from the horror of a young girl brutalised this year, who, on her way home from school, was drugged and held captive for days. In an attempt to hide this from the public eye, all traces of this incident have been removed from the media. 

In another shocking incident some years ago, a little boy was kidnapped and found chained to a radiator days later. Both these abhorrent crimes were linked to residents of Sycamore Lodge, Clay Lane, Oldbury which is currently being used as a facility to house sex offenders, including child sex offenders. At this stage it is unclear how many of these incidents have been hidden from public record with only the local people being aware of them. 

According to a study in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, approximately 16% of sex offenders reoffend within 15 years (Langan, Schmitt, and Durose, 2003). Consequently, it is terrifying to have such a facility in our neighbourhood, posing a direct threat to the safety of our children. With the perpetrators being housed so close to us, the potential danger to our children is an everyday, ongoing dread. Especially as it is less than 400 meters from a primary school. 

Our community deserves to live in peace, without fearing for our children's safety. Therefore, we implore the relevant authorities to take immediate action to cease the use of Sycamore Lodge for housing sex offenders. Please, act swiftly to dismantle this breeding ground of fear and help us safeguard the future of our children. Sign this petition and together let us restore peace and safety back to our community.