An MP will confront a top-ranking police officer over plans to bar constituents from their local police stations.

Shipley MP Philip Davies will challenge Assistant Chief Constable David Crompton on Friday, May 5, over the closure of front counters at Shipley and Bingley under West Yorkshire Police plans to save almost £1 million.

Mr Davies said he feared the 12 helpdesks earmarked for the axe were the "thin end of the wedge" and would see the eventual shutting of police stations in Shipley and Bingley.

And he criticised the way money had been spent on the refurbishment of Shipley police station helpdesk.

The refurbishment, designed to make the helpdesk compliant with the Disability and Discrimination Act, is thought to have cost thousands of pounds although the force has confirmed that it will not now open to the public.

Front counters at Brighouse, Heckmondwike, Otley and Cleckheaton are also among the dozen earmarked for closure under the force's plans to save about £1m over the next two years as it struggles to cope with a budget shortfall of £17.7m.

But Mr Davies said: "This amount of money the police are aiming to save how will shutting the helpdesks actually save the money? We are told no staff will be lost, so I don't see the financial benefit. It doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

"I wonder if there is a hidden agenda here to close Bingley and Shipley police stations. At least then they can save money."

He said helpdesks were vital for the reporting of crime and public confidence.

"The closures mean there will not be a single police station open to the public in all of Shipley constituency.

"I would suggest trying an evening opening system and looking at the difference. If someone wants to hand in lost property, they would have to go to Keighley, which is farcical."

West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Tom McGhie, speaking for rank and file police officers, said: "We understand why the force is doing it, wanting to bridge a financial gap.

"The concern we have is that by closing down front counters there could be a reduction in the type of work available to officers on restricted duties."

Bradford Councillor Clive Richardson, vice-chairman of West Yorkshire Police Authority, said the decision to close helpdesks had not been taken lightly.

He said: "We've taken the difficult step of deciding to close these helpdesks and save £700,000. We will do this through staff turnover, redeploying to other roles."

A force spokesman said people were increasingly using other means to contact them. He said: "We have made it clear that there will be no police station closures."

e-mail: jonathan.walton @bradford.newsquest.co.uk