'Don't close our police stations!' Residents fear gangs will make their lives a misery if force's plan goes ahead.

Byline: Abby Alford

RESIDENTS fearing a return of terrifying vandal attacks are urging police chiefs not to close their police station.

Canton is one of four Cardiff stations facing the axe under cost-saving measures by South Wales Police.

Chief officers have moved to reassure residents that response times will not be affected and a visible presence will be maintained.

But the 900 people so far who have signed a petition fear the Canton station's loss sends the wrong signal to gangs of youths who made their lives a misery for years.

Bill Sanders' car and house in Clive Road, Canton, sustained pounds 900 worth of damage over five years when a group calling itself

Canton Youth regularly wreaked havoc.

The wing mirrors on his car and the front window of his house were smashed and a drainpipe on his house was ripped down more than once.

Thanks to the efforts of Canton-based police officers, anti-social behaviour and other crime has now fallen significantly, but Mr Sanders fears the trend will be reversed if the station is lost and he has been going door to door to collect signatures.

"The majority of people think it's absolutely ludicrous," he said. "If these vandals know there are no police in the area, surely the first thing they will do is come back again." The station closures are part of multi-million-pound cutbacks prompted by South Wales Police Authority's refusal to impose a 9.8% rise for the police through council tax. It is estimated the sell-off of Canton, Roath, Cathays and Grangetown stations, will generate pounds 1.5m for the force..

But Canton councillor Ramesh Patel said: "All of the public services are being asked to make cutbacks.

"At the end of the day, the police have to work within their budget." The deputy divisional commander for Cardiff, Superintendent Bob Tooby, said: "The decision to close these stations has not been taken lightly.

"It has unfortunately been driven by the financial situation that the force faces.

"Response officers who cover Canton will continue to operate from Ely as they have done successfully for two years.

"Due to the closures, neighbourhood officers in Canton, Roath and Cathays will need to be re-housed, but I can reassure the community that neighbourhood policing will not suffer.

"One idea we are exploring is the possibility of a 'shop- front' type premises in Roath, Cathays and Canton, or moving into a community facility."

CAPTION(S):

Bill Sanders from Canton, has raised a petition to stop the closure of police stations like Canton, above right, around Cardiff PICTURE: Mark Fraser [umlaut]