TRADERS are starting a petition against the possible closure of Sherwood Police Station.
They say having police based locally has led to a noticeable decrease in crime, compared to when officers were based further away at Oxclose Lane Police Station, in Arnold.
They have vowed to campaign against the closure, as they successfully did with plans to introduce charges in Sherwood's car parks.
Beverley Ward, manager of Holland & Barratt in Sherwood, said: "The community in Sherwood will fight for this. We won with the car parks and we will win with this.
"We used to have a lot of thefts and a lot of young kids hanging around, and it was terrible.
"It's lovely to see the police walking up and down, and they say hello and you feel quite at ease."
Sue Asling, deputy manager of Holland & Barratt, added: "It would be devastating if the police station went.
"The general public are quite horrified at the thought of losing the police station. It's a vital thing for Sherwood.
"We feel a lot safer since it has come here. Our shoplifting figures have gone down.
"We have got a lot of frail and elderly customers and they are beginning to reappear and they feel safer to come out.
"Often we are alone and have to lock up on our own. Gangs used to congregate in the doorway and you used to have to wait and hide in the back before you could go home.
"It was an awful feeling, but that has all gone now because they have dispersed them.
"If they do close the police station it will cost them more in the long-run because the police will have to travel from further afield and there's going to be more crime, so it's a false economy for them."
Notts Police is considering closing Sherwood Police Station as part of a review to significantly reduce spending.
However, no decision has been made on the station.
Andrew McAllister, manager of the Nisa Local shop on Mansfield Road, said: "I like the presence of the community police. I think it would be a shame if the police station closes. I think crime has improved and it feels a lot safer."
Sherwood and Mapperley Park Neighbourhood Watch Association has an office inside the police station from where CCTV for the Sherwood area is coordinated.
Ivan Jacoby, chairman of the group, said: "Were there to be an option to close Sherwood Police Station it would destroy years of work, both in terms of connections with police and also our CCTV system, and we would vigorously oppose any attempts to do that."
A Notts Police spokesman said: "As everyone will be aware, Notts Police faces some considerable funding challenges in the coming years, and in light of this we have to look at all areas of cost.
"Clearly our buildings are a key area of expenditure and must be reviewed in order to identify financial savings which could be made.
"Our priority will always be to deliver an effective policing service to the public and keep our officers and staff working within communities.
"Our neighbourhood policing teams are already using innovative ways to reach the public and the improvements in mobile data mean our neighbourhood policing teams now have far greater flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the community.
"Members of the public will be kept fully informed of any considerations and recommendations about the future of a police base."
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