Police numbers in Shipley will not be cut, business leaders have been assured.

Chief Superintendent Simon Atkin, the divisional commander of Bradford District Police, made the pledge at a meeting hosted by the town’s MP Philip Davies (Con), which also involved traders and businessmen in Shipley, Bingley and Baildon.

Speaking after the invitation-only event, Chief Supt Atkin said: “I was delighted to be invited to the business forum by Mr Davies and was pleased by the honest and forthright feedback I received on policing in the town which we can continue to build upon. It was also an opportunity to offer reassurance that the recent changes to the service will not affect policing resources in the Shipley area.”

Barry Cooper, chairman of Shipley Town Centre Business Partnership, said: “It was very good to meet the new man in charge, Mr Atkin, and there was a very positive mood. Shoplifting was discussed and there was concern police officers might be pulled out of the Shipley area, but we were told numbers had been protected.”

Mr Davies said there had been “frank exchanges” at what was a very productive event.