A mini police station looks set to be opened in the heart of a troubled York housing estate in the latest bid to reduce crime.

If councillors approve the scheme next week it will be based in a house in the Kingsway North area and be used by police officers and city council staff.

The aim is to provide a police presence in the heart of the estate, which has the highest crime levels in the city.Brian Flanagan, a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Kingsway North, said people would welcome the new police house as a way to combat crime.

He said: "People have been asking for this for about 18 months.

"It should be located anywhere within the roundabout between Kingsway North and Crichton Avenue, so it can be seen from every direction.

"This will put local community policing right on our doorstep."

It will also mean residents of the troubled North Clifton estate have more direct access to council officials who manage the estate.

City councillors will be asked to provide £16,150 towards the cost of the £22,450 scheme at a meeting on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, North Yorkshire Police announced it was to open a new police station at Clifton Moor.

Currently the north side of York, including Clifton Moor and Kingsway North, is policed from Strensall, eight miles away.

Both schemes are part of the force's wish to have officers closer to the high-crime area of Kingsway North and provide a higher-profile police presence for concerned residents.

Chief Inspector Gary Barnett, of York police, said: "We want to increase our community presence in that particular area and provide better response times by having officers in the heart of that community."

He added: " We have had a very positive public response."

John Hocking, assistant director of housing services at the city council, said the new office followed requests from residents in the area for better access to police and council staff.

He said: "It sends the clear message that both the council and the police are both concerned and interested in supporting local residents in reducing crime in the area."

If councillors support the scheme, residents will be consulted on the location of the office.

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