THE lack of community policing in smaller villages continues to worry local councils in South Craven.

Both Silsden Town Council and Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council have raised concerns about the new POP (problem orientated policing) teams.

Replacing community constables, the local team comprises 16 officers who will respond to problems in the Keighley area.

Sgt Paul Robinson and PC Craig Stothers, both members of the POP team responsible for Silsden, addressed the town council on the the POP team would work.

Sgt Robinson said: "POP policing is about working with the community and other agencies to come up with good long term solutions to the problems we all face, for example youth trouble.

"Rather than just move the problem on it is more about working towards sorting out a solution. It should be a better quality of service than you received before."

Coun Paul Bromley asked if this meant there would be more police in Silsden as a result. Sgt Robinson replied that this would not be the case.

Coun Michael Elsmore said: "All the parish councils in this area are concerned about the lack of police presence in our towns.

"We have been told it is because we live in a low crime area. I am sure this is because statistics are only based on recorded crimes.

"I urge all Silsden residents to report all incidents and let the council know so we can monitor what is going on."

Members of Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council expressed concern about the length of time people had to wait for police to respond to an emergency call.

Coun Jane Bowler said that she had waited three hours for the police to respond to an emergency.

Coun Jonathon Cullingworth said: "We need to write to them and tell them it is not working. We are not happy with the lack of police presence in the village."

He added that prevention was better than cure.

And Coun Maurice Bell said: "When we complain the police turn around and say we are in a low crime area but that's not the point."

Coun John Hargreaves said: "I think the idea of having a POP team might work if we still had our local constabulary as well. They were the ones with local knowledge."

A spokesman for Bradford Police said: "We have to target our resources effectively to areas of most need. This team will work separately to regular patrol officers who will still be deployed to high crime areas.

"Crime in Steeton and Silsden is comparatively low and we hope this new approach will lead to a better quality of life for people across the Keighley district."