CUTBACKS to the police budget could lead to too few officers in Craven to provide safe and effective cover.

Skipton’s police cells are set to close in April as part of a review of policing in the area, which aims to save around £72,000 as part of a planned £2million budget cut for the county.

But councillor Andy Solloway, an Independent member of Craven District Council and North Yorkshire County Council, said he is “deeply concerned” that there will be too few police officers left on the beat.

He said: “There seems to be disquiet among police officers on the ground about this, but you won’t hear this from those at the top.

“Police officers are going to be spread too thinly.”

North Yorkshire Police began putting into action the Operational Policing Model several months ago.

Police chiefs say it is a strategy to “streamline and improve” the way police services are delivered, with the projected increases in efficiency enabling the force to make financial savings.

Investigation hubs, including one in Harrogate for Craven, have been created by North Yorkshire Police.

Figures show crime in North Yorkshire to have fallen by 16 per cent since 2010.