Community-minded residents in Baildon are being invited to keep law and order in the village - by becoming volunteers with the police.

Inspector Tony Walker, the officer responsible for recruiting people to take part in the Volunteers in Policing scheme across the Keighley division, is hoping to train five volunteers from Baildon.

Although the recruits would not have the authority to make arrests, they would be able to offer community and crime safety advice and alert police to any incidents in the village.

Insp Walker said volunteers were fully trained and would become part of a 20-strong voluntary team across the division. What the police are trying to do is identify people who can commit time and energy within their own community for the benefit of that community without any need for financial gain," he said.

"I believe this is an opportunity to improve the service we provide to the public because these people will make contacts in their area and they also know their areas very well."

Other roles volunteers carry out include: leafleting houses in the area; victim care support; working on police helpdesks; and answering telephones.

Insp Walker is to provide further information on the scheme at Baildon Neighbourhood Forum on Monday.

He said: "Volunteers improve their range of skills which can be added to their curriculum vitae. We want the public to be proud of the police work in their neighbourhoods and these volunteers can make a difference."

Councillor John Cole (Lib-Dem, Baildon) said if successful the scheme would be welcome in the village.

"This is a welcome initiative," he said. "Any additional help for residents in Baildon in improving security has to be greatly welcomed but there must be consistent and systematic resourcing from the police side."

Anyone interested in taking part should telephone 0845 6060606 and ask for the force volunteer co-ordinator or visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk.

The Baildon Village Neighbourhood Forum starts at 7.30pm at Sandal Primary School in West Lane.