The Town Council is to support moves to end almost 150 years of the name of the Keighley Police Division.

The Watch Committee won the backing of the full council in a majority vote last week to give its support to Chief Superintendent Graham Sunderland, who wants to rename the local force the 'Airedale Division.'

Committee chairman Councillor Graham Mitchell told members that the Keighley Division, which today polices an area stretching from Ilkley to Shipley, taking in Haworth, Silsden, Baildon and Bingley was 'inappropriately named'.

He said that perception of the division was smaller than the huge area that in reality it covered, and as a result Chief Supt Sunderland found it difficult to obtain funding and resources.

Cllr Mitchell said: "This may seem like a slightly strange proposal to bring before you, but it is entirely about accessing a larger amount of funding to fight crime in Keighley and the surrounding area. Basically this is all about getting more policing resources for Keighley."

Cllr Mitchell also voiced concerns that crime figures for the whole area were labelled under Keighley, creating a false impression to outsiders of crime levels in the town.

The move was opposed by some members, who felt that the Town Council was doing away with an important part of Keighley's history.

Cllr Tony Wright said: "We are going to lose a historic name. The Keighley Division has been in existence since 1853. One of the big problems we have here is asserting the identity of the town.

Cllr Wright argued that crime, averaged out over the district, actually made crime figures in Keighley appear lower.

Cllr Gerald Newton added: "We spent a long time fighting for Keighley Town Council and we are giving our name away."

Cllr Brian Hudson agreed: "I think the name should stay.

"It has served the area a long, long time and I think it should stay."

Deputy Mayor Nick Lajszczuk said that the new name better described today's local force and that Keighley should be seen to be at the heart of the Airedale Division, adding that if it meant more funding for police it would be a good thing.

Cllr Amjad Zaman questioned the logic of those against the resolution, accusing them of losing sight of the issue and placing more importance on a name than on the problems faced by police.

He said: "What have we really done for Keighley? I think that if we can change the name and attract more funding then we should do it.

"I have got two daughters in Keighley and I want to make sure they are safe, and I think that if by changing a name we can move towards doing that then we should change it. If it helps save one life it would be worth it."

Town Mayor Cllr Martin Leathley urged councillors to look to the future and consider the make-up of the district as a whole.

He said: "Some day we may be looking at an Airedale District Council that encompasses all the Airedale region."

Chief Supt Sunderland told the KN that the proposed name would better represent the people the force served.

He said: "I have wanted to change it for some time, but I wouldn't think of it without support from this end.

"When you say Keighley Division people think it's Keighley town. There are nearly as many officers at Shipley police station as in Keighley.

"We have got to look at the wider picture and not take an I'm alright Jack attitude. We have got to look at the people of Bingley and Frizinghall and Ilkley.

Chief Supt Sunderland believes the only opposition to the plan is likely to come from Keighley people, but assured them that the name Keighley would not simply disappear from signs.

"We will still have Keighley Police Station", he said, "and we will still have the Keighley section. What's in a name? Let's have a name that represents the area."