A LONG-RUNNING police probe into Keighley Town Council has now developed into a fraud investigation.

Detectives have confirmed a person has been under caution as part of their inquiries.

The investigation started last December after Keighley MP Kris Hopkins urged police to intervene.

The Conservative was responding to the findings of a damning external audit report, which highlighted a catalogue of financial weaknesses and poor governance relating to the town council's 2012/13 accounts.

Ramona Senior, the head of West Yorkshire Police's Economic Crime Unit, has now said: “Following matters raised by Mr Hopkins, we can now confirm we are investigating allegations of fraud.

“One person has been interviewed under caution and our enquiries are continuing.”

Mr Hopkins said he felt reassured the matter was being taken seriously.

He added: “Many people in the town have been dismayed by what’s gone on in the past.

“What’s important, having asked the police to look into this, is for me, as a politician, to let them get on with it.”