Fourteen of the APs in England and Wales were banned from housing child sex offenders in 2006 following a media campaign, which has led to some criticism.
Formerly known as either probation or bail hostels, the properties became known as Approved Premises once recognised under section 13 of the Offender Management Act 2007.
[4] They are run by either voluntary organisations or the National Probation Service,[1] and may house high risk offenders.
[2] Reports have shown that local opposition is a major obstacle to opening APs in new locations,[6] and although expansion schemes have been announced in the past,[4] the current number of hostels has remained relatively stable in the last five years.
[1][3] Official spokespersons have said that "Approved Premises are safer for the public than the alternative which is to disperse such offenders in the local community immediately after release, making supervision much less effective.