Police officers are to patrol the grounds of Airedale General Hospital at Steeton.

The two Special Constables will complement the security service - including closed circuit television - that already exists.

The new initiative has been launched as part of the Keighley Partners Against Crime week.

Keighley Police divisional commander Superintendent Mark Whyman said there had been no particular problems at the hospital.

"But Airedale hospital is like a village in itself with thousands of people coming and going every day,'' he said.

"These high visibility patrols will provide a reassuring presence to visitors and staff."

Marjorie Tindale, Airedale NHS Trust operational services manager, said: "The police officers will provide a high visibility service and give reassurance to staff and visitors.

"This is not a response to any problem we've had in the hospital. We already have a security service which includes CCTV."

The police officers will also patrol the nearby villages of Steeton and Eastburn.

Bradford Councillor David Emmott (Con, Craven) who is also chairman of Steeton with Eastburn parish Council, said: "This is an excellent initiative and a great advantage to villagers.

"It's a long time since we have seen a bobby on the beat in out community."

A Keighley police spokesman said the specials would patrol on foot and would be available to provide crime prevention advice and information.

Patients on the hospital's children's ward and at the site's Nightingales Day Nursery took part in a competition to draw a picture to mark the launch.

The winner was 14-year-old Thomas Duxbury, of Bingley.

A number of crime prevention initiatives have been taking place in Keighley throughout the week, including the serving of warrants on suspected drug dealers.