POLICE are being accused of failing to report serious crimes to councillors in Ilkley after two robberies at a betting shop in the town.

In the latest incident a machete-wielding attacker threatened to behead the Betfred manager before robbers made off with £800. In an earlier robbery £400 was stolen from the Leeds Road store.

But neither incident was reported to Ilkley Parish council in the regular monthly police briefing, according to Cllr Mike Ridgway.

At a parish council meeting this week he claimed: "The police report this evening and possibly on other evenings has not been full in content or portrayed an accurate situation regarding aspects of crime in Ilkley. This is a serious accusation."

He told the meeting an armed robbery had taken place at Betfred on Thursday November 10.

"On this occasion the female shop manager had a machete placed on her neck while lying on the floor with the assailant standing over her and shouting 'I will cut your head off', with the gang then making off with £800 stolen from the shop.

"This is not hearsay as the lady in question personally described to me what happened to her and she then had some two weeks off work recovering from the shock of the experience."

He asked: "Why was this not reported at the council meeting held on Monday, December 5 in this chamber?"

He added: "This is not the first occasion that the IPC have not been fully informed about serious crime in Ilkley."

Cllr Ridgway stressed: "Is this the standard of reporting we have to put up with from West Yorkshire Police in relation to serious crime in the town?" adding "what else are we not being informed about? Are the statistics being massaged?"

He called for a meeting with Keighley area Inspector Khalid Khan or the Police and Crime Commissioner to discuss concerns.

Parish Council Chairman Brian Mann said there had been a tradition of reporting some of the "lesser" crimes at the monthly meeting, but he said in view of the seriousness of some of the crimes a meeting with Insp Khan should be requested.

Cllr Henri Murison told the meeting he disagreed with the comments which had been made, and he thanked the police representative for attending the meeting.

Coun Susan Cuthbertson said she did not want it to appear that the comments were being made by all councillors and she stressed that the views expressed might not represent the collective opinion.

The Ilkley police ward officer was praised by councillors for her work in tackling anti-social behaviour and crime in the town.

Inspector Khalid Khan, who leads the Keighley Area Neighbourhood Team, said: "We are aware of the comments made by Councillor Ridgway and will be speaking to him about his concerns.

"The robbery in November is being investigated by Bradford District CID, who are also liaising with the company over later attempts at their premises in Silsden and Wibsey to see if they are connected.

"A 28-year-old man was charged with the robbery in August and has since appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court.

"No one was hurt in any of these incidents and detectives are continuing enquiries to identify suspects.

"Anyone who can assist these enquiries is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101, or to report anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."