FURIOUS community leaders have vowed to fight a further erosion of police services in Keighley.

Opening hours at the town’s police station have been cut, renewing fears the building will shut altogether.

Urgent meetings are being demanded with force bosses to discuss the situation.

West Yorkshire Police said that the helpdesk at the Airedale House police station in Royd Ings Avenue was now closing at 8pm instead of 10pm.

Keighley town councillor Michael Westerman, who is chairman of the watch and transport committee, said it was scandalous that a place the size of Keighley was being stripped of police provision.

“The police seem to be taking a leaf out of Bradford’s books and constantly cutting back and back,” he said.

“This wouldn’t happen in the city or elsewhere, so why is it happening here?

“Firstly they moved the police station out of the town centre, then they took CID away to Bradford, they closed the cells and now this.

“We’re going to be left with a phone box as our only point of contact. It’s disgusting.”

He said he would be raising the matter at the next watch and transport committee meeting.

Cllr Westerman added that a current consultation exercise over the future of Keighley’s civic centre had shown a strong public desire for a police presence in the town centre.

His anger at the latest police move is shared by Councillor Khadim Hussain (Ind, Keighley Central).

He said he would be seeking answers from West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Burns-Williamson.

“I’ve raised concerns before over the gradual reduction in services in Keighley and yet we see it happening again,” said Cllr Hussain.

“It’s vital that the public can have face-to-face contact with the police.”

“If the police station is locked-up and you can’t get through on the 101 number, which is often the case, what alternative means are there of speaking to someone?

“This is giving out a totally negative message and says the police station in Keighley has no future, but I will fight for it.”

Town mayor Cllr Shabir Ahmed said the situation was “unacceptable”.

“Keighley is not a village – it is a sizeable town and needs a proper police station,” he added.

West Yorkshire Police said the decision to reduce the helpdesk opening hours had been taken after a review found it was rarely used between 8pm and 10pm.

“Our website has a number of different contact options which can be used outside of opening hours,” said a spokesman.

“To view these, please visit westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus.”

A spokesman for the PCC’s office said: “We need to emphasise that no decision has been taken on the future of Keighley police station at this time.

“Before any decision, there would be a consultation with local people and a viable alternative to the station would have to be identified.

“Communities in Keighley should be reassured that while Mark Burns-Williamson is in office there will always be a police base in the town.”