PLANS to close Skipton police cells and reduce the number of sergeants are not in the public interest, says Craven District Council.

The police and Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan want to close the cells and reduce the number of sergeants as part of a force-wide review - the Operational Policing Model.

They say money will be saved by using the custody suite at Harrogate Police Station and officers will be freed up to work rural patches.

But a strongly worded letter from the council's crime and disorder committee, chairman and council leader asks for the plans to be reconsidered.

"The council asks that the police re-examine the OPM and give favourable consideration to withdrawing the proposal to close the custody suite and the reduction of police sergeants, in the view of the council, it is not in the interests of the residents of Craven."

It also believes there could be a knock-on effect on Skipton Magistrates' Court, leading to its eventual closure.

"One of the big concerns of the public, councillors and solicitors is the potential knock on effect on Skipton Magistrates' Court and the delivery of justice at a local level," claims the letter by Cllr John Roberts and Cllr Chris Knowles-Fitton.

"There was a campaign, led by Julian Smith MP, to keep the court open and it cannot be emphasised enough how important and serious this is seen.

"Harrogate is alien to the residents of Craven, there is no public transport along the A59 and in winter the road is frequently blocked by snow, landslips and flooding."

They further question the claimed cost savings of £72,000 per year of closing the Skipton cells, when put against the additional problems of transporting prisoners to Harrogate, and also, the reduction of sergeants.

"The leadership of the Craven force is seen as very professional, approachable and in touch with the public with good upper and middle management, and the reduction in the number of sergeants leading to the remote management of officers and replacement by constables, is seen as a detrimental step which is unacceptable."

The consultation deadline ran out at the end of August, although the police have said comments are still welcome.

Assistant chief constable Paul Kennedy has said he understands concerns, but that the force is faced with making budget cuts.

"I would like to reassure the people of Craven that the decision to close the custody suite in Skipton will not be taken lightly. The proposal has been on months of extensive research and planning as part of our OPM project, and we believe by streamlining our operations in this way, we can continue to provide the service the public have come to expect."