WEST Yorkshire Police have insisted they will continue to help out at local parades and carnivals – at least whenever they can.

The force has made the comment in reaction to reports claiming that, from May, it will no longer assist with organising rolling road closures for the likes of Otley Carnival or Horsforth Gala.

Otley and Yeadon’s three Lib Dem ward councillors raised the issue last week, warning that community-led parades could ill afford to pay for extra costs for private traffic management.

The ward councillors wrote to Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, urging a re-think.

Chief Inspector Derek Hughes issued a statement in response saying West Yorkshire Police was committed to working with community groups and partners to ensure any events are managed effectively and efficiently.

He said: “Our policy of supporting events has been in place for a number of years and has not changed.

“However, in these times of austerity we have the need to balance normal policing requirements against the specific needs of events, which may be reflected in our ability to provide resources for areas that fall outside of our role and responsibility.”

Otley’s MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North-West) has added his voice to those urging the police to keep up their current level of “goodwill” support for local parades, carnivals and galas.

The MP said: “Such events are very important for community cohesion and tourism and for supporting local charities.”