KEIGHLEY'S police helpdesk has reopened – but with reduced hours.

The facility, at the town's police station in Royd Ings Avenue, had been shut due to staff shortages.

Now provision is operational again, but only between 10am and 6pm weekdays.

The helpdesk will be closed weekends and bank holidays.

Whilst senior community figures have welcomed the reopening, concerns have been voiced about the cut in hours.

And renewed disappointment has been expressed at the decision to abandon plans for a new police station in the town centre.

West Yorkshire Police instead plan to redevelop the existing Airedale House base.

Keighley town mayor, Councillor John Kirby, says a police presence is needed in the town centre.

He adds: "I welcome the reopening of the helpdesk, however I am disappointed the hours have been reduced and there is no weekend provision.

"The police really need to have a town-centre presence where services like the helpdesk can be easily accessed. The current location in Royd Ings Avenue isn’t easily accessible to those without a car.

"Following the disappointing decision to rebuild the police station on the current site, I would urge West Yorkshire Police to work with the town council to develop a plan for the police to have some presence in the town centre that is much more accessible for residents."

Keighley MP Robbie Moore describes the cut in helpdesk hours as "disappointing".

"After pushing for the helpdesk to be reopened with our district police commander, chief constable and West Yorkshire mayor I am pleased they have listened, but the reduced hours are disappointing," he says.

"I will continue to monitor the situation closely and liaise with West Yorkshire Police to address any concerns arising. It is essential the helpdesk remains responsive and accessible to the public, and I encourage residents to provide feedback on their experiences with the revised opening hours.

"Whilst I understand the changing dynamics of public demand and the increasing use of technology for contacting the police, it is still vitally important we ensure the needs of our entire community are adequately met. Many quite rightly still prefer the option of face-to-face interaction at the helpdesk, especially during evenings and weekends when other contact channels may not be as accessible.

"Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour will continue to be one of my number one priorities for Keighley and our wider area – and what I would like to see is the relocation of the police station back into the centre of town, as I am sure this will help."

Keighley's Labour parliamentary candidate, John Grogan, says: "Recently I had a briefing at Keighley police station from local officers about constituency issues and whilst I was waiting to get access it was noticeable how quite a few members of the public came to the entrance hoping to get advice or to report concerns.

"Clearly it is positive news that a public face for the local constabulary has been restored at the reception desk, which ideally would be staffed at weekends and bank holidays as well as on working days.

"More generally I am disappointed that the plan to build a new police station in the centre of town, which all relevant organisations committed to in 2019, has since been abandoned. The proposal to rebuild on the current site still appears somewhat uncertain in terms of timing."

West Yorkshire Police say the opening hours at all its public helpdesks have changed following a review.

Superintendent Michael Rutter says: "Our helpdesk officers provide a really valuable service and members of the public will still be able to visit a helpdesk within each of our districts seven days a week.

"The review found though that we no longer have the footfall at our helpdesks that we once did, particularly into the evening, with people increasingly using the non-emergency 101 number and online contact options. By making some reduction to the opening hours, we have been able to maintain eight public helpdesks across the county."