Cleckheaton's community constable is leaving the town just six months after he arrived.

PC Phil Mulhall, 41, took up the post in May after a year-long campaign by Cleckheaton traders for a community bobby.

Before he was installed the town was without a bobby for nearly 12 months following the departure of community constable Penny Ayers.

Traders claimed Cleckheaton's crime rate increased during the period when it was without a regular police presence, and that since PC Mulhall has been in town it has dropped again.

PC Mulhall's boss, Sergeant David Shield, said it was hoped he would be replaced before he left the post so the town would not be without a bobby again. PC Mulhall is expected to leave in January.

Sgt Shield, said: "I can confirm that PC Mulhall is moving to Huddersfield and that he will be replaced when the selection procedure has been undertaken. We are hoping he will be replaced before he leaves the post.

"It was his choice to move to Huddersfield and his post will now be advertised."

He said the police were keen to continue the good relationships PC Mulhall had forged during his time in Cleckheaton.

"The objective of any community beat officer is to reduce crime and the fear of crime and we are keen to continue that," said Sergeant Shield.

"The role of community beat officer in Cleckheaton is one which quite a few people are keen to do and it does have its advantages. The person who will fill that role must have a range of skills - communication and being able to get on with people are a big part of the job."

Sgt Shield said PC Mulhall had recently been working from Heckmondwike while he had completed a tutoring programme.

"He is a tutoring constable and is currently training an officer who has just arrived from training school.

"He will have completed that by the end of this month and will then be fully back and working in Cleckheaton."

President of Spenborough Chamber of Trade, Keith Joplin, said: "As long as we have continuity, then the traders and people living in the area will be happy.

"We will welcome any police officer in the role of supporting us and we will support them.

Mr Joplin said he hoped the new officer would attend chamber meetings to report on crime trends in the town.