A POLICE decision to end support for community parades could spell disaster for carnivals in Wharfedale and Aireborough.

That is the warning being made following West Yorkshire Police’s announcement that, from May, it will no longer organise rolling road closures for events like Otley Carnival.

Otley and Yeadon’s ward councillors say the change will also jeopardise the future of Yeadon Carnival, Horsforth Gala and Guiseley Carnival.

In their letter to Mark Burns Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, they say: “These events are a vital part of community life and allow the police to be seen in a positive light by being involved in feel-good community events.

“The alternative they have been suggested, of employing professionals, means many of these events will no longer happen.

“We are writing on behalf of the dozens of local groups in our area who run these small events and asking if you could look at this again.”

An Otley Carnival spokesman said the change could leave the fundraising event “financially unviable”.

They said: “We struggle to cover the costs anyway but just about do it, with help, and the extra we make from selling the programmes and things is what we give away to our beneficiaries.

“It’s always been such a comfort to know the police were in charge of the rolling road closure and that it was well controlled.

“The costs of paying a private company to come and do it would basically take all the money away that we raise to give to charities and community groups. For local people that would be taking away the main point of Otley Carnival.”

Yeadon Carnival president and Otley Town Councillor Nigel Francis (Ind, Danefield) agreed. He said: “This endangers all of the local carnivals who are already working with very small budgets.

“Having to find another £700 or £800 just to pay for the road closure could lead to carnivals like Yeadon not having a parade.”

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) added: “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 the 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 and other local events like it will be put at risk. Leeds City Council do not have responsibility for this kind of event but it may be possible for them to undertake a blanket traffic order and I have asked Highways officers if they can do this.

“In the meantime I am asking the police to think again and urging everyone to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner.”