A new youth group in Cullingworth has been praised by the police for keeping youngsters in the village out of trouble.

Insp David Drucquer, of Keighley police, praised the activities of the youth group, which was set up last year to give youngsters in the village a place to meet. Speaking at this week's Cullingworth parish council meeting, Insp Drucquer said that since the group started the police had received few complaints about young people in the village.

He said: "The youth community group is something that will do a lot of good for the village. The main problem in Cullingworth has been kids hanging around with no direction, but since the group started we don't get the number of complaints we used to."

The youth group started up last year in St John's Church Hall to provide a place for local youngsters to meet. After talks with the head teacher of Parkside Middle School, Robert Quartermain, the group has managed to secure the use of the school hall for the club. An open evening for parents and children is being held on Thursday, January 21 at the school.

Reviewing the crime figures for December, Insp Drucquer said Cullingworth had experienced a 'very happy new year' with only one crime reported between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The number of crimes in December remained the same as in November with 15 reported during the month.

One area of concern highlighted by Insp Drucquer was a youngster who had been spotted targeting passing motorists with a laser pen. Insp Drucquer said: "It is something that we are very aware of and it is something we want to keep our eyes on."

Parish councillors asked about the possibility of an increased police presence in the village as a way of providing a visual deterrent to criminals.

Insp Drucquer replied: "We try to get as many officers out on the beat as is humanly possible because it is something I believe in. They want to come up as often as they can, but the officers we have at Bingley are a reactive strength who we try and direct to specific problems.

"When we have got a restricted budget, and know there is no further recruitment, we have got to make do with what we can."

Insp Drucquer said police were also investigating 13 reported car thefts. All of the vehicles have been dumped at the Flappit quarry just outside the village.

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