RESIDENTS involved in the fight against a “mega probation centre” in Oxford have warned against complacency as fundraisng for a potential High Court battles continues.

Thames Valley Probation service upset residents in Mill Street, West Oxford, with their plans for a centre at Trajan House. Families living in the area said they were concerned about criminals walking the streets.

On Saturday, residents held a street party to raise funds towards legal costs, should the case be taken to a judicial review.

Last night, father-of-two Dan Rawstorne, 34, from Mill Street, who is leading the battle against the centre, warned residents they needed to continue campaigning — or risk the scheme being pushed through at the end of the six-week period.

He said: “The campaign is at a delicate stage and we are doing all we can.”

Earlier this month the probation service, which has not yet signed the lease for the building, announced it was putting the proposal on hold for six weeks. Managers said they would look again at 12 alternative potential sites in and around Oxford, but stressed they would press ahead with the Trajan House plan if a better alternative could not be found.

Charles Raikes, a chartered surveyor who lives in Mill Street with wife Jude, son Oliver, five, and daughter Ella, two, is one of residents who has been leading discussions with the probation service.

He said: “The key thing now is that residents must not be complacent just because negotiations over Trajan House has been put on hold.

“We don’t think six weeks is actually a very long time for a proper property search and the freeze should be extended — six months would be a more realistic period.

“We believe there are a number of sites in the city centre in particular which would be much more suitable for this centre.”

Chief probation officer Gerry Marshall said: “We are working hard to undertake everything we promised to do within the six weeks that the negotiations on Trajan House are on hold.

“We have arranged for Home Office Property General to appoint agents who both understand and have good knowledge of Oxford to re-examine the existing properties identified, and to liaise directly with other agencies and with a representative from West Oxford Community Against Mega Probation Centre about other potential sites which may have come to light.

“We want the process to be as transparent as possible.”

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk