THE POLICE, like every other public body, are continuing to face severe funding cuts and that means they, along with our local councils have no choice but to make some very tough decisions.

To that extent, West Yorkshire Police’s recent decision to end the support it currently provides to local volunteer-run galas, parades and carnivals when it comes to road closures is understandable.

And no doubt the change, should it go ahead as planned this May, will end up saving the force substantial sums.

But it will also land all the voluntary groups who organise these focal points for their communities with a major, and potentially fatal, extra bill if they have to bring in private companies to help.

And there is another aspect of this that must be considered - in terms of what the police actually gets back from providing the current level of assistance because events like Otley or Yeadon Carnival aren’t just jolly days outs for all the family.

They are also a very effective means of bolstering community cohesion, of affirming the identity of those living in their respective towns and the sense of kinship they have for their fellow residents. We would urge the police, as far as they are able within the limits imposed on them, to show some long-term thinking here. But to do that they also need sufficient funds from Government.