Byrne under fire over probation centre

Oct 17 2007 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

PROTESTERS against a controversial Birmingham probation centre today slammed the Minister for the West Midlands claiming he has failed to fulfil promises to aid their campaign.

The Birmingham Mail reported last month how Liam Byrne had promised to arrange a meeting between the campaigners and the Minister of State for Justice, David Hanson MP, as a matter of urgency.

But now the protesters against the centre say they feel let down after Mr Byrne has revealed it could be several weeks before the meeting takes place.

"When we spoke to Liam he said he would have a date for the meeting within 10 days, but that was nearly a month ago," said Tracy Hemming, leader of the Parents and Residents' Action Committee, which is fighting the centre in Mackadown Lane, Kitts Green.

"As we hadn't heard anything we got back in touch with him but now we're being told that there's no fixed date for the meeting and it could take place at any time up until Christmas, which is weeks away.

"We feel like we've been patient and we appreciate that ministers are busy, but our patience is running out.

"We care passionately about this issue and we are worried that the longer this is strung out the less likely our concerns are going to be heard.

"We feel like Liam is fobbing us off and there are no intentions of this minister meeting us at all.

"We're sick of all these empty promises and we just want action."

But Mr Byrne, Labour MP for Hodge Hill, insisted he was doing all he could to help, but could not give a date when the meeting will take place.

"It should be before Christmas," he added. "I want to thank all of the community in Kitts Green who have stood shoulder to shoulder with the protest group.

"Thanks to their strength of feeling I have won this meeting."

The protesters claim the centre, which is used by criminals from across east Birmingham and north Solihull, will put people's safety at risk.

The facility is less than a mile from three schools and near hundreds of homes.

West Midlands Probation Service has insisted their fears are unfounded.

The campaigners staged their first protest outside the centre in February. In March, they collected an 8,500 name petition and the following month 40 parents travelled to London to protest outside the Home Office.

Shortly afterwards Birmingham Probation Service met parents to try to allay their fears.

In July, both sides met to discuss the centre at a debate chaired by Birmingham Mail editor Steve Dyson.