Community leaders accused police of failing to tell them about plans to slash front desk opening hours at police stations across Bradford in a bid to save £2 million.

MPs Gerry Sutcliffe and George Galloway called for a “proper consultation” into proposals to shut the 24-hour public inquiry counter at Bradford city centre’s Trafalgar House police station overnight and reduce helpdesk hours at stations across the district after claiming they had not been informed about the plans.

If approved, Trafalgar House’s front desk will be shut between midnight and 8am every night, while Manningham’s Lawcroft House will change its helpdesk opening times from 8am-5pm Monday to Friday to 10am-6pm.

The details only came to light after the Telegraph & Argus asked West Yorkshire Police to clarify a message posted on a number of Neighbourhood Policing Team Facebook pages asking for residents’ views on a “review” into public counter opening times.

Bradford South MP Mr Sutcliffe said he had not been told about the plans, which police say have been sparked by a reduction in demand and a need to slash £100 million from its budget over the next four years. He said: “We need a proper consultation. It needs to be a better consultation than that. People want to be able to get to police stations at different times.”

Bradford West Mr Galloway added: “We need facts and figures that justify this closure. I’m against any cuts to policing and the more opportunities people have to report crime the better. If you are in the centre of Bradford and you’re intimidated or being threatening and it’s out of police front counter hours what are you supposed to do? It’s shameful.”

As the Telegraph & Argus went to press, no firm details of the proposed opening times for police stations in the Bradford North and Airedale area were available, but more information is expected to be announced this week. Police say the proposals could save £2m.

Bradford Council leader David Green (Lab, Wibsey) said he received an e-mail from the police about the proposals last week but needed more information to “pass judgement”.

He added: “If it’s a consultation then people need the information and currently I don’t think that’s there. I hope the police will provide the number of visitors they get between midnight and 8am.

“We need to have a more open consultation so we can look at the options and pick the least worst.”

Chairman of West Yorkshire Police Authority Coun Mark Burns-Williamson said it was the responsibility of divisional commanders to consult councillors, MPs and members of the public about the plans. He added: “If that does not happen we will be looking at it from a police authority perspective.”

A police spokesman said if the proposals are implemented, public inquiry counters would be retained in all areas of the force but with reduced operating times.

Bradford South Divisional Commander, Chief Supt Simon Atkin, said the demand for public inquiry counter services had reduced. A consultation earlier this year found eight out of ten residents surveyed said they hadn’t visited an inquiry counter in the past year.

He added: “We are in challenging times and it is essential that we make the most efficient and effective use of all our resources, ensuring we are available when and where the public need us. This is not about reducing our service, it is about responding to the changing demands and safeguarding frontline policing.”

Anyone who would like to give their views should contact their NPT. Contact details are available at westyorkshire.police.uk/npt.