CRAVEN will be left with just one police inspector after the new force structures come into operation over the next few months.

North Yorkshire Police has just undergone a major review in a bid to find £5 million savings, and it was confirmed this week Craven will lose its superintendent, chief inspector, detective inspector and two of the three uniformed inspectors.

But it is still not known which of the administration and support staff will remain at Skipton - the current divisional headquarters.

The Herald has already reported that, as from April 1, Craven will be merged with Richmond and Harrogate to create a new western area, which will be headed by Skipton's current commander, Supt Andy Parker.

It is one of three new areas being created to replace the old seven divisions, with Hambleton, Scarborough and Ryedale combining to form the eastern area, and York and Selby joining forces to make up the central area.

Speaking this week, Supt Parker acknowledged there were still a lot of unanswered questions but stressed it was important to look forward.

"Change is difficult, and there is a danger that performance may drop. But it is my job to ensure people remain focused on reducing crime and the fear of crime."

He added that the new system would strengthen local area policing (LAP), with Skipton, Cross Hills, Grassington, Settle and Ingleton all becoming LAP areas in their own right.

At the moment, there are three such areas - Skipton, Skipton Rural (taking in Grassington and Cross Hills) and North Craven - which are overseen by an inspector and and various beat sergeants.

However, under the new arrangements which will be phased in over the next 10 months, only Skipton will have an inspector in charge, with the other areas commanded by a sergeant.

They will report directly to the operations superintendent, who will be based at area headquarters. Its location has still to be decided.

"Officers will be able to really focus on local problems without being distracted," explained Supt Parker. "Between now and the time we go live, we must ensure that structures are in place which will allow us to continue to deliver an excellent service.

"We must make sure that Craven receives adequate management and administrative support. There will be no skew of resources towards Harrogate and Richmond - all we are doing is rationalising the management."

Supt Parker also stressed the need for officers to keep working with the public, and said the new Craven Community Safety Partnership would continue to draw up a three-year strategy for the district, based on the findings on the recent crime audit.

"Partnerships are vital, and as long as we maintain these, there should be no deterioration in the police service in Craven."

However, Janet Gott, who chairs the local Community Safety Partnership and is also chairman of Craven District Council, remains sceptical.

She told the Herald that she was suspicious of the proposals, and would be questioning Chief Constable David Kenworthy closely when he attended a meeting of Craven District Council on January 26.

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