York is to get a new police station in the heart of the Clifton Moor trading estate to drive criminals away from one of the city's fastest-growing areas.

It is expected that up to 30 officers will eventually be based at the new station, which has been partly prompted by the building of a new nightclub at Clifton Moor.

It will mean police will be in based in the heart of a multi-million business and shopping centre - and also in striking distance of problem estates like that centred round Kingsway North in Clifton.

The Clifton Moor area is currently covered by officers at Strensall, eight miles away.

Police chiefs recognise the new Clifton Moor nightclub, owned by Rank, will have the potential to cause policing problems late at night and hope the new station will limit trouble.

Rank is backing the station by leasing land for the station to the force at a peppercorn rent.

The trading estate, which draws thousands of people each day and night to its mix of shops, restaurant and leisure outlets, is a tempting ground for criminals.

A police spokeswoman said: "What we don't want to see as Clifton Moor expands is an explosion of car crime and vandalism. People who work there and run businesses expect to feel safe and come back in the morning and find their properties still there."

Robbie Burnett, centre manager of Clifton Moor Shopping Centre and vice chair of the local business association, said: "It's great news.

"There have been some problems with shoplifting and vehicles being broken into, but now the police are going to be so much closer.''

Residents of the Kingsway North estate also welcomed the move.

Brian Flanagan, co-ordinator for the east side of Kingsway North Neighbourhood Watch, said:

"It's bringing troops right up to the front line of the battle. If the police have picked that spot they must have done so for a reason."

York's Acting Divisional Commander, Gary Barnett, said: "The new station will offer better facilities and faster response times for the majority of our calls."

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