Keighley has earned a national reputation for making partnerships work.

It has been achieved through a strong sense of community involvement and a willingness to volunteer.

The town has also never been afraid to openly tackle difficult issues.

It is these strengths and beliefs which set Keighley apart from many other communities.

It is, therefore, difficult to understand just what is going on in and around Lund Park and other parts of Keighley.

Once again we are reporting on incidents -- mainly anti-social behaviour by young people -- in those areas. Concerns have been raised and allegations made -- with people tiptoeing over the race issue.

But it is not just Lund Park which has difficulties.

Young vandals are said to have turned the streets around Braithwaite Road into a no-go area.

It is a dreadful state of affairs when good and true citizens say they don't want meetings with the police or just to be told something is going to be done.

They are quite right to demand evidence.

Back at Lund Park, Cllr Lynne Joyce even accuses the police of avoiding the issue. Once again claims are being made that the area around the park is yet another no-go area.

Whatever the situation may be, it is time for positive action before it is too late.

With all the current changes -- through the police shake-up and manpower commitments to other areas outside Keighley -- the police may be stretched.

The bottom line is that people have a right to feel safe and go where they want, when they want, without having to run any intimidatory gauntlets.

It is as Cllr Joyce says a partnership issue and we have all got to work together to resolve it.

The police must be a leading light in the partnership.