FEARS that Ilkley could become a police free zone have prompted parish councillors to demand an explanation from divisional bosses.

Parish councillor Michael Lynes told a council meeting that the recent departure of Ilkley's Inspector Paul Clynch had left the town without a full-time police boss.

Coun Lynes said that Insp Clynch had been replaced by an inspector who had to cover Bingley and Shipley as well.

"And he retires just after Christmas," said Coun Lynes.

He added: "Two years ago they gave us a cast-iron guarantee that they were not looking to remove the inspector from Ilkley - it is the same situation as the fire station.

"I think it is the thin end of the wedge and I think it is only a matter of time. Ilkley will cease to be policed in a way that we were promised two years ago.

"We want to start protesting now about the erosion of promises they gave us."

Councillor Andrew Walbank said he was concerned that police officers seconded to Ilkley from Keighley did not know the town well enough.

"The police themselves don't know where they are in the town - it is a sad state of affairs," said Coun Walbank. He said he had visited the police station in Riddings Road on three occasions when it should have been open and it was closed.

Parish council chairman Michael Gibbons said he was concerned that police officers no longer attended parish council meetings.

He said: "We hardly ever see anyone now. We sent a request for the POP (Problem Orientated Police) team officer to be at our last meeting but he did not turn up. I don't care for the attitude we are seeing."

Coun Lynes said: "It is a war of attrition with all these services. We need to know from the local inspector whether they are saying this is a temporary move, a financial consideration, or if this is the actual plan that they have for Ilkley.

"They are not supporting Ilkley and they are not coming to meetings - I think it is a very difficult situation. "I don't see, if we have a-third of an inspector, how they can know what is going on."

Members agreed to ask for a police representative to attend the next parish council meeting to explain what the future of policing in the town will be.

After the meeting, a spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "For a number of years we have developed an intelligence-led approach to policing coupled with a problem solving approach that aims to address the causes of long term problems.

"Experience has shown that policing is more efficient when we allow intelligence to dictate where resources are deployed rather than have staff dedicated to an area that might not have a problem.

"Ilkley is by no means a neglected area in the Keighley division but we have to target resources where they are needed the most, not put them in areas where they have traditionally been based.

"Our intelligence is prioritised on a daily basis and if the Ilkley area became a problem in terms of crime we would allocate additional resources as appropriate. Based on the intelligence we get, Ilkley is given its fair share of resources."