Fears for future of community events as police suffer cutbacks

West Yorkshire Police chiefs have admitted they could have to drop their long-standing support for a number of carnivals and galas in Leeds.

The force has traditionally provided officers to handle road closures for parades that are held as part of events such as Yeadon Carnival and Horsforth Gala.

Now, however, senior officers are warning that they may not be able to continue to provide the service in what they describe as “these times of austerity”. Without a police presence, organisers could be forced to draft in traffic management companies of the type used by large-scale city runs.

Leeds North West’s Liberal Democrat MP, Greg Mulholland, is urging West Yorkshire Police to reaffirm their backing for the celebrations.

He said: “I am a great supporter of the many community events held in Leeds, which are now facing a very uncertain future.

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

Concerns have been voiced about the strain that paying a traffic management company would place on event organisers.

Otley Carnival treasurer Ann Steval claimed using a traffic management firm would add a “significant” amount to its costs. She stressed that funds would still be found to ensure this year’s carnival went ahead as planned in June. But she also said that, in the long term, extra financial pressures could mean “the end of Otley Carnival”.

Horsforth Gala co-organiser Dawn Collins added that, if no police support was forthcoming, then the summertime event’s popular parade through the town would have to be axed. She told The Yorkshire Post that although the rest of the gala would take place as usual in Hall Park, the loss of the parade would be a “huge disappointment” to local youngsters.

Coun Colin Campbell, a Liberal Democrat member for Otley and Yeadon on Leeds City Council, said: “This will have a major impact on dozens of local groups. In my own ward of Yeadon, the children’s parade at Yeadon Carnival has been walking down High Street for the last 100 years.

“The police have stopped traffic for a maximum of 15 minutes and everyone has been happy. #

“Now this along with events organised by Otley Carnival, Guiseley Carnival, Kirkstall Festival [and] Horsforth Gala will be put at risk.”

In a statement, West Yorkshire Police’s Chief Insp Derek Hughes said: “We are committed to working with community groups and key partners to ensure public events are managed effectively and efficiently.”

He added: “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.”

The West Yorkshire force has had to cope with the loss of nearly 1,000 officers in the space of just five years.

It is also facing up to budget cuts of around £163.5m by 2016/17.