LOCALS are waking up to the dangers of sex offenders being housed at a bail hostel, campaigners said.

A mass protest is being held this evening outside Plas y Wern Bail hostel, Plas Madoc, Wrexham.

It comes after child rapist Patrick Brendan Smith pleaded guilty to attempting to groom two young girls while staying there.

Campaigners said they have been warning for years of the dangers of housing serious sex offenders at the hostel and have held demonstrations in years gone by.

Protestor Stuart Hughes said some quarters of the community had not taken on board the concerns after reassurances by probation chiefs over public safety.

But following Smith’s conviction that perception was changing he said.

“We are hoping for a good turn out at the protest and would urge as many parents as possible to support it.

“It starts from Plas Madoc Leisure Centre at 6pm” he said.

“In the past I think some people may have thought there was not a problem.

“But now I think they are waking up to the dangers.”

Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones is also to canvass Government ministers to call a halt to housing sex offenders at Plas y Wern.

Smith is due to be sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on June 12.