Neighbourhood policing in Kirklees is to be restructured under a force-wide shake up in West Yorkshire.
But Kirklees Divisional Commander Tim Kingsman insists the number of officers policing Huddersfield, Dewsbury and other areas will remain unchanged in what he has dubbed a ‘lock down’ on front line policing.
And he said officers would be available for more patrols.
The re-structure was launched yesterday by West Yorkshire Chief Constable Mark Gilmore in Marsden. It will see the existing seven Neighbourhood Police areas in Kirklees reduced to four: Huddersfield, Rural, Mirfield and Dewsbury and Spenborough.
But within the four areas police officers will be assigned to existing local authority wards and overseen by a Police Sergeant who will also be more accessible to the public.
The change in structure will see three Inspectors re-deployed within the Kirklees division.
Other changes include new shift patterns and closer working with partnership agencies.
Chief Supt Kingsman told the Examiner: “This is a new structure which is being implemented across West Yorkshire and here in Kirklees.
“Over the last 12 months a review of policing has been carried out in Kirklees. The shape of policing is changing. Challenged by reduced budgets, we are making innovative use of new technology; ensuring officers spend more time on the street and less time in the station.
“However our key aims remains the same, protecting frontline police officers. We’ve worked as hard as we can to ‘lock down the numbers’.
“Here in Kirklees we have been fortunate that Kirklees Council have continued their commitment which has allowed us to maintain frontline Police Community Support Offciers.
“We also have a dedicated number of Specials Constables and police volunteers which is another string to our bow.
“But overall the public will not see any immediate changes due to the restructure and we remain committed to to keep communities safer and feeling safe by reducing crime.
Chief Supt Kingsman added: “As a result of the review, we will work much closer with other services such as Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, the Fire Service and health authorities.
“No decision has been made on police neighbourhood buildings. I know there has been concern raised by ward councillors particularly about Moldgreen police station.
“Officers will be attending joint briefings which means 24/7 response officers being briefed alongside their Neighbourhood Policing colleagues.
“This will provide a more joined-up approach and a better use of resources.
“Shift patterns are also changing as we need to alter to meet the demand of the public. There is a need to reduce costs in overtime and we are now rostering officers into the night to address this.
Asked how the changes have been received by officers, he added: “Officers have been told and there will be more transfer between officers and a lot less ‘that’s not my job’.
“Would it be their first choice? Probably not, but we are putting officers where they are needed, in the communities they serve.”
The announcement comes as the force has seen the Government’s policing grant reduced by 20% between 2010/11 and 2014/15.
Savings of £64m have already been made but a further cut of £18m will be needed in the next 12 months.
Neighhbourhood Policing changes at a glance:
Outgoing set up:
Huddersfield North
Huddersfield South
Spen Valley
Batley, Birstall and Birkenshaw
Kirkburton and Denby Dale
Dewsbury and Mirfield
The Valleys
New set up:
Huddersfield,
Rural
Mirfield and Dewsbury
Batley and Spenborough
Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news.
Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here
To follow us on Twitter click here
