CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to house sex offenders in Usk have again been told they have nothing to fear.

Up to 40 sex offenders nearing the end of their sentences are to be transferred to Prescoed Camp as part of their rehabilitation.

Many local people have said that the move will put their children at risk and they want the Home Office decision reversed.

But a spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "There is no question that we would place anyone in Prescoed Camp if they pose a risk to the local community.

"Public protection is paramount. We place prisoners in open conditions because we cannot keep them in prison indefinitely and we know that appropriate resettlement work will reduce the risk to the public when they have to be released.

"A consultation exercise was conducted with the police, which included visits to the prisons by local councillors and a series of public meetings late last year and early this year to reassure the local community." Tory shadow Home Office minister Dominic Grieve has said his party could reverse the decision.

Mr Grieve was in Usk to hear the views of local councillors and residents. Mr Grieve said: "It's inevitable that prisoners at the end of their sentence will be moved to open prisons.

"The problem here is that there is no confidence that prisoners are being moved after proper assessment. The feeling is that they are being put in this open prison because of overcrowding, and residents are legitima