RUMOURS of a hostel opening in a West Somerset village to provide accommodation for criminals leaving prison seemed to be unfounded, MP Rachel Gilmour has said.

The MP took up the issue with Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clare Moody when she paid a visit to Minehead to discuss rising crime levels.

Mrs Gilmour said constituents had raised concerns with her that there was a bail hostel located in Porlock.

But she said Ms Moody was unaware of any such ‘approved premises’, although the PCC had promised to look further into the matter.

‘Approved premises’ are generally overseen by HM Prison and Probation Service and mostly used for people leaving prison on licence, and for those on bail or serving community sentences.