A RUMPUS has broken out over plans to open a rehabilitation centre in Dartford for former sex-offenders.

A private company has contacted MP Dr Howard Stoate over its plans to choose North Kent as one of six sites across the UK for the new centres.

Cicar (Care in the Community and Rehabilitation), which is based in Norfolk, is looking to open a centre in Dartford within 10 years, offering former sex-offenders accommodation, help to find work, education and a chance to rebuild their self-confidence.

Its website states: “For sex-offenders, what kind of jobs are available, and who is going to even think of offering a job to an ex-sex-offender?”

Dr Stoate said: “I am extremely unhappy about this and I would be totally opposed to this scheme. We have enough difficulties in Dartford and public concern about this plan would be extremely high.

“We have a large number of schools and a large number of children in the area. I would urge the council to turn down a planning application for this.”

Cicar project co-ordinator Andrew Jenkins said: “We have contacted Dr Stoate and local councils.

“We want to choose one of three sites in the Dartford and Gravesham area. We will make our choice on January 12 and put in a planning application.”

Dartford council's deputy leader, Cllr Jeremy Kite says North Kent is the wrong place for such a project. He stressed: "We have had similar applications in the past and fought them. They are unsuitable for an area of high population growth.

“Ex-offenders should be outside these areas and should be rehabilitated before they are re-introduced into society.”

Cicar has refused to be drawn on whether paedophiles would be among the ex-offenders in a rehabilitation site.

Project co-ordinator Andrew Jenkins said that the centre would only have low-risk former offenders. He said: “The risk to the general public would be minimal. Everyone would be of a low-risk category.”

The company also says it has a strict vetting procedure.