Bail hostels may expand

A controversial scheme to house bailed and tagged offenders in residential areas may be expanded, justice minister David Hanson has suggested. The bail hostels, which are unsupervised and without formal planning approval, are opposed by residents, but Mr Hanson says the scheme has been a success in reducing prison numbers. However, his comments came as talks began over whether to close a London bail hostel due to violence and antisocial behaviour.