Community leaders in Haworth are intensifying calls for the return of their village bobby after a street light was ripped out.

They claim a light in the Gasworks car park was ripped out between last Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. They say it is proof of increasing levels of vandalism in Haworth since the departure of village policeman PC Glyn Butterworth two months ago.

Villagers say there has also been damage to a phone box next to the railway station and a smashed shop window in Mill Hey.

David McKay, vice-chairman of Haworth Village Trust's steering group, says: "It is going to cost the council around £1,000 to replace the broken lamp-post, and we are concerned that vandalism in the village is going to far exceed the costs of having a constable in the village.

"We are trying to improve facilities for villagers, but how can we convince public bodies to become involved when we haven't got the co-operation of the police. So far they have been pretty poor partners.

"People in the village have spent two to three years getting the village trust and parish council off the ground and we are now faced with a backward step.

Worth Valley Cllr Glen Miller says: "Vandalism in places like Haworth means a lot of money will come out of the council tax paid by local people."

Keighley police say that a new problem-orientated police (POP) team will cover the village and that a car will regularly patrol the area.