SEX offenders will not be housed at HMP Thorn Cross following a government U-turn.

Convicted paedophiles would have served the remainder of their jail sentences at the open prison in Appleton Thorn under the Ministry of Justice’s plans – yards away from Appleton Thorn Primary School.

A petition organised by the Warrington Guardian had gained more than 4,000 signatures from outraged residents.

READ > The campaigners who refused to accept plans to house sex offenders at Thorn Cross

An MoJ spokesman said: “We recognise the concerns of the community and local representatives with regard to putting sex offenders into HMP Thorn Cross.

“Having reflected on these, and the specific concern about the immediate proximity of Thorn Cross to a primary school, we have reviewed the decision and will not progress with this change.

“The management of low-risk men in open conditions as they approach the end of their sentence is a critical step to support their reintegration into society.”

Concerns had been raised over the lawfulness of the decision, with an application for a judicial review having prepared by Warrington Borough Council.

Warrington Wolves player Bryson Goodwin backed our campaign

The reversal of the decision follows talks held between justice minister Rory Stewart, Cheshire police and crime commissioner David Keane, Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid, the council and representatives from HMP Thorn Cross.

Mr Keane said: “I am pleased that the government has listened to the concerns of the local community, including local elected representatives, in regards to the impact this decision would have had on the local area.

“Over the past week, I have spoken to many local residents who expressed deep concerns over this decision and I hope they will be satisfied with this outcome and will continue to feel safe in their community.”

READ > How we helped force the government's u-turn

Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid said that he was ‘delighted’ that the MoJ had reversed its decision.

He added: “I was deeply concerned by the proposals and, on hearing the news about the proposed changes on the first day of parliamentary recess, I immediately wrote to the Minister to express the very real concerns that I and the local community had about the plans.

“The minister has now made it clear to me that he has reversed the decision because of the concerns I raised in my letter about the prison’s proximity to Appleton Thorn Primary School.

“This is absolutely the right decision – I am delighted to hear that the minister has now listened to the concerns raised by myself, local people and all other authorities and will not be proceeding with the previously proposed population changes at HMP Thorn Cross.

“I would like to thank the whole community, Cheshire Police, David Keane, Warrington Borough Council, Appleton Parish Council and the media who have worked hard over the past week on this issue.

“This shows what can be achieved when we all work together”

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Council chief executive Steven Broomhead had earlier told the Warrington Guardian that the MoJ’s decision-making process was ‘totally flawed’.

He said: “Thanks to the efforts of Faisal Rashid, David Keane and the community itself, the appropriate decision has been made – which is in the interests of all the Appleton Thorn community and also the prison itself.”