RADICAL Government plans to slash the number of police forces nationwide - possibly by half - may well leave West Yorkshire relatively untouched.
But the county's police authority is prepared to look at any possible changes with an open mind.
Currently there are 43 police forces in England and Wales.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke says many are simply not big enough to meet the demands of modern policing.
So he is proposing wholesale amalgamations in the biggest shake-up of the police service since 1974.
It could see the number of forces dropping to between 20 and 25.
West Yorkshire is the fourth largest police force in the country and so is highly likely to remain as it is now.
But parts at the edges may be nibbled away or expanded as neighbouring forces join together and expand.
West Yorkshire Police Authority chairman Clr Mark Burns-Williamson said: "Following the announcement by the Home Secretary of his intention to redraw the map of policing in England and Wales, West Yorkshire Police Authority is prepared to enter into discussions with neighbouring forces about any implications for policing in West Yorkshire.
"The Home Secretary's proposals are designed to create police forces that are large enough to deal effectively with critical incidents and organised crime."
Outside London, forces range widely in size from just over 1,000 officers to more than 8,000.
The proposals suggest that only forces with about 6,000 officers can respond effectively across the full range of modern policing demands.
West Yorkshire now has 5,694 police officers and 3,510 police staff.
They include more than 400 uniformed Police Community Support Officer who were taken on to patrol the county's streets.
Clr Burns-Williamson said: "We will support any proposals that deliver better policing services to the people of West Yorkshire.
"Following our recent investment in police officers and staff, force strength is now at record levels."
The July 7 London bombings led to a major inquiry centred on the Leeds and Dewsbury areas after it was revealed the bombers came from West Yorkshire.
Clr Burns-Williamson said: "The force's response to recent events suggests we are able to react to major incidents while continuing to deliver day-to-day policing.
"We feel we already meet the criteria set out by the Home Secretary.
"We are, however, happy to talk with neighbouring authorities about opportunities for collaboration or amalgamation to enable them to grow to the size needed to deliver across the full range of policing.
"If we are persuaded that a new structure would deliver real benefits to those who live and work in Yorkshire, then we will do all we can to support it."
