THE owner of an Argoed B&B where a woman was murdered says people cannot judge all its residents on one killer as a group is launched calling for the building’s closure.

A Facebook group called “Lets Shut down All Argoed Hostels NOW” has been set up and has so far received 640 followers. A group spokeswoman said they felt it was too soon for them to speak to the media regarding their campaign “out of respect for the victim’s family”.

It comes after Matthew Williams, 34, was found over the body of 22-year-old Miss Yemm inside the Sirhowy Arms, a B&B for the homeless, in the early hours of Thursday morning, November 6. Miss Yemm later died of her injuries.

It is alleged Williams was committing an act of cannibalism, but Gwent Police have refused to confirm or deny the allegation.

Williams was eventually tasered and arrested while attacking Miss Yemm, and later died in police custody.

South Wales East AM William Graham has called for an investigation into the way the hostel was run – while a Ministry of Justice serious case review will be held into the tragedy.

But Sirhowy Arms owner Mandy Miles has said she had no detailed knowledge of Williams’ medical and criminal records.

She told the Argus yesterday (Fri): “I said it could have been avoided but looking back in hindsight it couldn’t have.

“If I knew what I know now about Matthew of course I wouldn’t have let him stay here. The more I know the better.”

When asked if she understood people’s worries about the Sirhowy Arms continuing as it is, Mrs Miles said: “I’m worried what people say but they can’t judge them all by Matthew Williams – it’s wrong.

“They can’t hold me responsible. What do they want me to do, put them out on the street? Isn’t it better if they’re contained? They are safer here with supervision than out on the streets.”

Argoed Cllr Leon Gardiner said a meeting has been arranged at the Argoed Reform Club at 7pm on Tuesday.

He said he has not been directly informed but will go along to hear what residents have to say.

On the petition calling for the closure of the Sirhowy Arms Hotel, Cllr Gardiner said he was not going to comment until he had heard the views of residents.

Amanda Bartle, who lives in nearby Blackwood, has been campaigning against such accommodation sites for several months.

The 51-year-old said: “I understand people have to go somewhere but they need to be supervised. There is no supervision.

“In Argoed, I’ve heard people saying there has been no trouble at the Sirhowy Arms prior to this but that’s not the case.

“There are children playing about the place and it’s not safe for them.

“These people don’t come to the Sirhowy Arms without problems. The managers are not being trained to deal with these people.

“I just want people to be aware – you should know that a murderer is living next to you. I have been saying this for months, and [what happened at the Sirhowy Arms] has been a long time coming.”

The Independent Police and Crime Commission (IPCC) is looking into Gwent Police’s involvement in the November 6 incident, but insists investigations are at an “early stage”.