Warrington Borough Council is preparing a judicial review challenging the controversial decision to place sex offenders at Thorn Cross Open Prison.
While the challenge to the Ministry of Justice and prison service will come at a cost, council Chief Executive Steven Broomhead says a cost can not be put on safeguarding the community.
“The council is taking detailed legal advice and we aim to have a pre-action letter to the Ministry of Justice by the end of the week,” said Mr Broomhead.
The letter follows on from the “good work” of Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid and Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane, who have both expressed dismay at the decision, which has outraged the local community.
Mr Broomhead says the judicial review will be based on four keys points.
No proper risk assessment, no consideration of the impact on the local community, lack of safeguarding policies and no consultation with statutory bodies.
He went on to add that the decision had undermined good work by Thorn Cross over many years to integrate with the local community.
Meanwhile local residents and councillors are drawing up their own action plans, with a special meeting scheduled for Friday to put together an action group.
MP deeply concerned over decision to place sex offenders at Appleton Thorn open prison
