Residents in Bradford are writing to the Home Office backing West Yorkshire Police's refusal to sign up to a national radio project.

The Public Safety Radio Communications Project will enable police forces across the country to relay voice data, text and images via handsets.

Home Secretary Jack Straw wants to introduce the new technology by 2004, but West Yorkshire is refusing to sign up because of a row over funding.

The Government has pledged to support its introduction to the tune of £50 million - but forces like West Yorkshire would still be left with a bill of about £7 million.

The county's Police Authority says it would have to lose more than 400 officers to pay for the project and is not prepared to make that sacrifice. Now members of the Eccleshill Police Community Forum are lending their support by writing to the Government.

Residents of two more local forums in Leeds are also backing the campaign and others are expected to follow suit.

Eccleshill divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Stuart Hyde, told members of the Eccleshill forum the Government was seeking a 19-year commitment.

He said: "It is a very hi-tech system which will allow packets of text and images to be sent to portable screens, as well as voice communication. But there is no guarantee of future funding."

Philip Kirkpatrick, one resident who attended the meeting, said: "The system sounds great - but more than 400 police officers would be lost in West Yorkshire at a time when the public feels strongly about bobbies on the beat."

West Yorkshire Police Authority says the force is at the leading edge of technology having already invested in its encrypted radio system.

A Home Office spokesman explained the new system could be used by other emergency services and public safety organisations, but added it had been agreed that police forces would be responsible for the funding.

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