NPTs safe from cuts, chief vows

The chief constable of West Yorkshire Police has pledged to protect neighbourhood policing teams from budget cuts.

Sir Norman Bettison visited North Kirklees last week to reassure people that the teams will continue to support their communities despite austerity measures.

He said: “The neighbourhood policing teams are here for good. They’ll be the last people we touch. It will be the back office services that are slimmed down or closed.”

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Sir Norman said officers would be taking on additional responsibilities to allow West Yorkshire Police to save money.

He said: “Officers will be carrying out a little bit more administration but I think it’s worth it.”

During a tour of Kirklees, the chief constable visited the Masjid Noor Ul Islam Mosque on Snowden Street, Batley, before heading to Wilton Park.

There, Sir Norman met local officers to see how they have been helping to tackle problems of anti-social behaviour.

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The visit was part of a West Yorkshire-wide campaign to reassure the public about the effects of the cuts, called Here for Good.

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