A BANKING giant has said it will not make a U-turn on its decision to close a chain in Wibsey for safety reasons, despite a petition supported by local politicians.

The local Labour Party has created a petition calling for Natwest to reconsider a decision made earlier this month to permanently shut its Fair Road branch after two armed robberies in the space of five weeks.

Initially the closure was only temporary, but last week the bank released a statement saying it had "taken the difficult decision to permanently close the branch." It cited "recent security incidents" for the closure.

The Change.org petition was started on Friday, and says: "We the undersigned urge NatWest Bank to reconsider their decision to permanently close their Wibsey branch following two recent armed raids and instead to work with the police, Bradford Council, local representatives and residents to achieve a safe and secure long term future for the branch, its staff and customers and to ensure that innocent members of the local community are not punished by the loss of a much valued business due to the consequences of crime."

However, when asked about the petition, a Natwest spokesman told the Telegraph & Argus: “The decision has been made and it will not be revoked.”

Bradford South Labour MP Judith Cummins, who backs the petition, said, “I’m really worried about the general move by banks to close down local community branches to consolidate their services to city centres.

“They can’t just ignore the needs of local people and local businesses, they need to understand that their actions can have a domino effect on our local high streets. Banks have a moral and social responsibility not only to their customers but the wider community.

“Whilst all customers will be inconvenienced by this retreat, it is the elderly and the most vulnerable who will be hardest hit, those who cannot travel further afield, and those unable to access internet banking.

“I’ve requested an urgent meeting with Natwest bosses to discuss the situation in the New Year.”

One person who signed the petition, John Drake, said: "At a time when the public are being asked to stand firm in the face of terrorist threats and go about their business as usual, we should not stand back and say or do nothing when more localised incidents of crime are being used as a justification for closing down a local business."

The three Wibsey Labour councillors, David Green, also Leader of Bradford Council, Ralph Berry and Lynne Smith are also backing the petition.

Councillor Berry said he hoped the petition would convince Natwest to change their minds, adding: "We've had a lot of people come to us, including a lot of elderly people for who this branch makes access to a bank easier.

"I am not dismissing what has happened to the staff, but I would ask Natwest to thing about the community and their reputation. They need to talk to the police, because we can't end up where we don't have a bank in the village."

To sign the petition, which already has the support of more than 200 people, visit https://www.change.org/p/natwest-bank-stop-the-closure-of-natwest-bank-in-wibsey-bradford