Peace has broken out in a village rocked by claims that it was blighted by crime.

A furious row erupted earlier this year when a detective living in Denholme but working for the Greater Manchester force accused West Yorkshire Police of failing to tackle drugs gangs there.

Denholme Town Councillors also hit out at claims that some residents were taking the law into their own hands by setting up balaclava-clad vigilante groups in the village.

But now the council has joined forces with police and Denholme Action Group to call a truce.

The action group, which was set up by villagers who were unhappy about policing in Denholme, is taking part in a joint initiative to set up a new network of Neighbourhood Watch schemes geared to combating crime.

Town Mayor Councillor Russell Driver welcomed the new spirit of co-operation between the three parties.

"What they're looking at doing, which I believe is a good idea if we can get it to work, is to set up a complete Neighbourhood Watch network throughout the village," he said.

"At the same time we want to get everyone linking in to one another right down the village.

"We are trying to get together areas of houses that can actually be grouped together.

"We will be appealing for co-ordinators from each of these areas to come forward and go around to get a meaningful Neighbourhood Watch scheme off the ground.

"Maybe we can combat a lot of the petty crime that's going on and the street gangs going about."

Controversy was originally sparked off when Detective Constable Gary Gregory, a member of the action group, complained that police had failed to respond to 12 emergency calls.

But a spokesman for the action group said today: "Things have really started to happen now.

"This is how it should have been from day one. This has all stemmed from all the publicity that there has been.

"We're working with the police and everything's looking very positive.

"The police have been brilliant."

A spokesman for Keighley Police Community Safety Unit said: "Neighbourhood Watch is an excellent way for residents to work with the police to take positive action to combat crime in their communities.

"We are pleased with the initiatives being taken in Denholme."

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