Assurances of West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner regarding the impact of any divisional changes are welcome.

But, regrettably, they are likely to be greeted with a great deal of scepticism by many people across the considerable area encompassed by the Airedale and North Bradford police division.

The loss of Keighley’s relatively new cells and the proposed merger of the local division with Bradford South has fuelled public fears policing is heading towards centralisation away from the town.

And it is not difficult to understand people’s anxieties.

Keighley has already lost its courts and seen its police station relocated out of the town centre.

The latest moves could be construed as another nail in the coffin for our local justice system.

Many of our outlying communities have excellent relationships with their local police officers and, as a result, enjoy relatively low crime levels, but if resources are stretched it must – despite the pledge front-line policing won’t be affected – throw a question mark over the future of such rural cover.

Full consultation has been promised, and it is essential all those with concerns make their voices heard before it’s too late.