KEIGHLEY’S Civic Centre will “definitely not” once again function as a police station when the town’s existing station is sold off, according to the town’s MP.

John Grogan confirmed the situation at the latest full meeting of Keighley Town Council.

He said the police would not be returning to their former station in North Street, which is now the town council-owed Keighley Civic Centre, once the current station in Royd Ings Road is closed and sold.

The Labour MP said the police were exploring options for moving to a different location in the centre of town, and said he wanted to see the long-running issue resolved within the next six months.

Councillor John Kirby said when he had asked Keighley’s police inspector about the matter, he was told that in future Keighley would have a police station manned by 75 officers and staff.

But Cllr Kirby said: “I’m worried that what will happen is we’ll get another station, but in five to 10 years time that will disappear as well.”

Mr Grogan replied: “I believe the police do have a commitment to Keighley.

“There has been a clear promise from the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner that there will be a police station in Keighley, and there’s no indication that this promise won’t be kept.

“But I can understand that until it happens there’s always going to be a doubt in people’s minds.”

Responding after the meeting, West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson said: “I want to reassure Keighley people that the level of policing will not reduce. Public safety is an absolute priority for myself and West Yorkshire Police, and all decisions taken are done so with the safety of our communities in mind.

“The Estates department of West Yorkshire Police are locating and assessing sites for a future police station in Keighley. In the meantime there will continue to be a police station in Keighley and no reduction in the level of policing.”

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Mr Grogan also updated councillors on the importance of Keighley having a thriving town centre, and praised the town council for “taking up the slack” in the face of Bradford Council cutbacks.

But he spoke against the idea of Keighley becoming independent from Bradford Council’s control. “I know Keighley and Bradford don’t always see eye to eye, but I’m more interested in giving Keighley a higher profile now than in campaigning for what would be a costly reorganisation of local government,” he said.