A review of policing in the Wharfe Valley has led to fears of less officers on duty and a rumour that Ilkley police station has been earmarked for closure.

But the police chief for the Keighley Division has emphatically denied that the station is under threat.

Chief Superintendent Derek Bonnard said: "There is no intention of that whatsoever - Ilkley police station is not closing."

Supt Bonnard said that the results of the business review have not been finalised but he admitted that it was concentrating on operational staffing.

But Harry Rowlinson, the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Addingham, fears that will mean less police in the valley at a time when a survey of villagers shows residents already feel there are not enough officers on duty.

The survey, carried out by Addingham's Village Design Statement Committee, has revealed residents' fears about rural crime.

"There is a very high percentage of people who see the policing in the valley as being poor," said Mr Rowlinson.

He added that compared to other towns and cities in West Yorkshire, crime in the Wharfe Valley was relatively low.

The head of West Yorkshire Police, Chief Constable Graham Moore, is due to attend a meeting of the Wharfedale Police Community Forum at the Queen's Hall in Burley-in-Wharfedale at 7.30pm on June 6.

Mr Rowlinson has urged members of the public to attend to express their concerns over crime and the lack of police officers on duty.

Geoffrey Vere, the vice-chairman of Keighley and Ilkley Crime Prevention Panel, of which Spt Bonnard is the chairman, said he had heard nothing about the possible closure of Ilkley police station.

Mr Rowlinson said he was not confident that the results of the current police review will make residents more satisfied.

"I suspect there is going to be more and more reduction of police in the Wharfe Valley," said Mr Rowlinson.

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