THE imminent threat of sex offenders being housed at an open prison which is situated yards away from a primary school triggered widespread concern among politicians, council officials and those who would have been forced to live alongside the convicted criminals.

One week after the news broke of the controversial decision, the consequences were already being felt by those who were ‘blind-sided’ by the changes to the prison population at HMP Thorn Cross in the heart of this small and picturesque village on the outskirts of Warrington.

Dad-of-one Paul Lawrence was excited for his first and only child to start school in September – a proud moment for any parent.

But this quickly changed when he discovered the plans for Thorn Cross prison.

Before news broke about the Government’s u-turn as the Guardian went to press last night, Wednesday, he was considering removing his four-year-old from Appleton Thorn Primary School before the first day of term.

“We chose this school specifically because of the previous grades and Ofsted reports,” said Paul, from Stockton Heath.

“We were happy to transport our child out of the area for the school. We are now actively looking for an alternative school.”

His wife Lorraine also harboured major concerns about the decision and the inevitable impact this could have on the school.

“It was a complete shock,” she added.

“You just get through the stress of applying for the school and then this lands on your doorstep.

“It’s not something anyone would want their child to be around.”

Mum-of-two Helen Orton, from Appleton, had also been left feeling ‘extremely vulnerable’ by the impending changes at the prison.

Both her children attend Appleton Thorn Primary School.

“I feel like we are sitting ducks. I cannot believe that this decision had been made or any thought has gone into it,” she said.

“I want my children to be independent. My 10-year-old enjoys walking to the local shop on her own as she is getting older.

“I would have had to seriously consider whether I could continue to allow her to do that.

“It’s not just an issue that would have affected Appleton Thorn – it would have affected the entire town.”

Dad-of-four Simon Puleston, whose youngest child is two and eldest child is 10, is one of the closest neighbours to the minimum-security facility on Arley Road.

Now because of the plans, he said he had been forced to explain to his children what a sex offender is.

“It’s obviously not a nice conversation to have,” he said.

“But we are in this situation and they could read it in the newspaper or on the internet. Children aren’t as blinkered by adults as they used to be.

Warrington Guardian:

“Rather than them finding out like that, I wanted to talk to them about it.

“For me, the plans are just inappropriate.”

Simon first discovered the plans when a letter was posted through his door – the letter was not directly addressed to him but it’s understood properties on Arley Road and some on Parkland Close received the same correspondence from the prison.

Simon has since been informed that the news affected the sale of a house after the buyers pulled out due to the changes.

The owners were nearing completion on the sale when the buyers abruptly halted the move, deciding they no longer wished to live in the area.

“It took a while for me to process it all – it was a shock,” said Simon.

“Then you think someone has clearly not carried out a proper analysis of the situation. It must be down to incompetence.

“They surely hadn’t considered the close proximity of the school.

“There are 200 children at the school and there are around 100 in the nurseries.

“So there are around 300 children walking up and down this street and then there would be sex offenders on the loose.

“The plans were wrong on so many levels.

“So far as testing them on the community, I understand the need for rehabilitation but that needs to done in a controlled environment.”

John Ratcliffe, of Parkland Close, was one of the residents to receive the letter, but he was still left with many unanswered questions.

He said: “It was not clear the nature of the sexual offences committed by these prisoners.

“This was very concerning for the community, especially parents, and must surely lead to a decline in morale among other inmates who would be living, working and travelling with them.

“It would cause residents to be very wary of inmates who are on work placements outside the prison and would ruin the good relationships built between the prison and the village over a number of years.

“A friend of mine who is a frequent visitor to the prison farm shop said they would no longer be shopping there and I am sure many more would have followed suit.”

Mum-of-three Denise Sutton has witnessed prisoners fleeing from the prison before.

“I’ve seen them running across the field and then you hear the helicopter.

“I feel sick to my stomach – it’s scary, especially for my young grandson.

“I wouldn’t want him playing outside.”

Prior to the Government u-turn a silent protest had been organised for outside the Town Hall on August 10.

Becky Johnson, who had organised the protest against the MoJ’s plan, vowed to do her ‘upmost to stop it’.

She said: “The prison is in the direct proximity of a primary school where children between the ages of four to 11 will commute five out of seven days of the week.

“It is unacceptable.”