Langcliffe Road on Preston's Brookfield estate was the scene of 40 "criminal offences" in 2006 and 2007.

Dilavar Patel, who runs Brookfield Newsagents, has lost an appeal to get planning permission for the facility, which was installed 12 months ago without the relevant consent.

An independent inspector said the ATM would "harm safety and security" in the area and said residents could instead use a machine at a nearby Spar store in Watling Street Road.

Cash machine users and local traders said the facility should stay.

Amar Iqbal, 27, who runs Autopoint Car Parts and Accessories with his brother Dilly, said: "There's no crime round here. They make it out to be a bad area but we've been here four years and we've not had any problems.

"The cash machine is good because it brings business to the area. We've been asking for better lighting, that would reduce crime."

Dilly, 21, said: "Nobody's been mugged or anything because of the cash machine. Everyone uses it."

Halstead Road resident Ian Mault said he had not seen any trouble at the machine.

The 44-year-old said: "I feel safe. There's no trouble. If this one was taken away, I would go to the Spar one."

Lynne Berry, 64, who has run New Image Unisex Salon for 17 years, said: "Especially for the older people, that cash machine is very handy.
They're certainly not hanging round waiting for you to draw money out."

Officers at Preston Council's planning department refused the retrospective application in January, saying the ATM could cause increased crime in an area with already high crime levels.

Police said the offences recorded in the road included assault, wounding, damage, harassment, burglary and theft and said the figure was "extremely high" given the small area involved.

In a report to Preston Council planners, the inspector said: "The ATM is likely to attract people seeking to withdraw money to a location that suffers from a high level of crime and where the levels of natural surveillance once the newsagents is closed is likely to be low.

"The likelihood of incidents of crime and disorder taking place close to the appeal site is likely to be increased to the detriment of the living conditions of local residents."

But shop owner Mr Patel said: "I want to keep this facility. It provides a service to the community."



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