A MERGER of Huddersfield and Dewsbury police divisions could result in fewer officers on the streets, it was claimed today.

The Tory group on Kirklees Council says police operations and officers' presence would be cut in one town or the other.

The claim came as Conservatives kept up their opposition to a merger.

A review is under way by West Yorkshire Police.

Tories said the two divisions were consistently among the best performers.

Clr Ken Sims, the group's deputy leader, said: "Big is not necessarily beautiful. This new division would be far too big and would cover a massive area.

"It would create bigger voids between the police and their customers and clients and would result in a loss of local knowledge and a poorer service all round."

Clr Sims said the police should be forging closer relationships with local communities.

"It must surely be more cost effective for the police force to be closer to the areas they are policing - and it would help the police get back to doing a real job - deterring crime with public support," he said.

"The merger of these divisions into one will not get public support - and it will not get the support of the Conservative group either," added Clr Sims.