CRAVEN Crime Prevention Panel has joined the fight to keep a fully comprehensive locally based police service.

Last week, the Herald revealed that the force's current boundary and structure review could result in Craven losing its divisional status, with the management being transferred elsewhere.

It is feared that instead of having a superintendent in charge, Craven could be left with just an inspector.

But panel members have said this would be disastrous, and would lead to a reduction in vital services.

"We need to fight any merger like mad," said chairman Janet Gott."To start to downgrade us to just an inspector is shameful. This division has worked hard, and now it seems we have to pay for our success."

Over the past few years, Craven has recorded the best crime reduction figures in the county, but the panel feared this position could not be maintained if the division was merged with an urban area.

"We are going to be the poor relations," said Mrs Gott. "Craven is unique, and is totally different to the rest of North Yorkshire."

Now, members are to write to chief constable David Kenworthy expressing strong concern. Copies of the letter have also been sent to Home Secretary Jack Straw, local MP David Curry, and Angela Harris, chairman of the North Yorkshire Police Authority.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.