Chief Constable Graham Moore is to consider a possible U-turn on the closure of police bars in West Yorkshire.

His predecessor Keith Hellawell decided to shut down all police bars in the county - two of which are in the Bradford division at Eccleshill and Bradford Central police stations - by 1999.

Mr Hellawell's decision followed a raunchy show at Bradford Central featuring erotic male dancers in October, 1995.

But while visiting local police stations across West Yorkshire, Mr Moore has heard views of police officers and civilian staff who would like to keep the bars open. He is now to re-open consultation to make sure they can get their views across.

"I do believe there is a value in police officers having somewhere, out of the public gaze, to discuss the events of their day." said Mr Moore.

He stressed it would not be at a cost to the public purse and added that if future drink-drive limits became so low that people could not drink as well as drive, it would need to be taken into account. "We cannot have police officers drinking at the Council taxpayers offence, so police clubs would need to be self sufficient and pay their way," he said.

"There will be no subsidies."

A top-level inquiry was launched into the raunchy evening at Bradford Central's third-floor bar on October 1995.

The social club was shut down after allegations that two male dancers, hired by the committee made up mainly of police officers, performed a bawdy dance routine and stripped off in front of a male audience

Senior police officers stepped in after some of the audience complained. The bar re-opened later the following year.

Club membership is made up of police officers, traffic wardens and civilian staff. Members are allowed to sign in visitors.

Mr Moore will also be looking into other issues - including tenure, how long police officers stay in a particular role - as part of his consultative process.

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