A SENIOR Home Office official has responded to concerns by a worried mother over York's probation hostel - on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Blair. The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, wrote to Mr Blair following Evening Press revelations that a Government ruling means Southview Hostel in Boroughbridge Road can now house serious offenders such as paedophiles and murderers.

Most of the local community was not told of the change, implemented on January 1.

At a stormy public meeting held to discuss the issue, residents were given assurances by the Probation Service that new rules could now be introduced, including tighter curfews on possible sex offenders.

The resident, who lives near the hostel and has a young son, challenged Mr Blair to respond to the issue.

Her letter says: "Get down off your throne, Mr Blair, and come and show us who you really care about. Come to York and reassure us, like you keep doing for the likes of America and the rest of the world.

"We here in Britain, your people, we need protecting. Start on your own doorstep.

"There is nothing more important than innocent children, without them there is no future. I urge you to reply Mr Blair, answer us."

The mother received a short reply from Downing Street saying Mr Blair had asked her letter to be forwarded to the Home Office.

John Russell, a senior Government policy developer for the department, has now sent her a full response explaining its position. His letter says the controversial changes to Southview came about under Section 9 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. It changed all hostels in the country into "approved premises", meaning they could accommodate serious convicted offenders on licence subject to strict risk assessments.

"I would like to assure you that the Government attaches a very high priority indeed to the protection of the public from dangerous offenders once they are released back into the community," it says, "Approved premises play a vital role in this."

Mr Russell's letter says that a study of 17 approved hostels in 1997, showed that only four per cent of residents reoffended while staying there.

The resident said she was "disappointed" Mr Blair could not answer personally and urged him to visit the area.

"It has not really eased my concerns," she said.

Updated: 11:42 Wednesday, October 30, 2002