A NEWLY set up Facebook page which appears to support taking direct action against known criminals in Haworth has provoked concern from district councillors.

The page, called "The Haworth Howler", claims the village has experienced a rise in crime over the last few weeks and blames newcomers to Haworth for causing the trouble.

A statement posted on the page earlier this month says: "Haworth's Howlers must add that should these KNOWN perpetrators be caught in the act action WILL be taken.

"As a small collective we're not content with merely turning a blind eye as it's not happening to us.

"We're not willing to wait to be the next victim.

"Complacency is not the answer, and before the high and mighty say you can't take the law into your own hands, that is exactly what will happen and then if there are to be consequences for such action then so shall it be.

"This community page WILL be the usual rumour page, but also a page for vigilance in the village too.

"Talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words."

The earliest posting on the page, which features an image of a wolf silhouetted against the moon, dates from October 6.

Responding to the Facebook page, Worth Valley councillor Russell Brown warned people not to put themselves or anyone else in danger by adopting a "vigilante" approach to crime in Haworth.

He also questioned the accuracy of the page's claim that crime has increased in the village.

"I'd advise people to report every incident they know of to the police, so officers have grounds to ask for more resources," he said.

"People should always use their good judgement, and if they see something happening it's better they report it to the police first.

"Because if they get personally involved they could end up in a lot of trouble and end up in court themselves."

Fellow Worth Valley ward councillor Rebecca Poulsen said: “Facebook is a great way to share information about what is happening locally and we have many local community pages across all the villages in Worth Valley.

"Community pages are not a replacement to reporting crime to the police, and I would urge people to use official channels to contact the police.

"This new Facebook page, 'The Haworth Howler', is not a local community page that I recognise, and I'm not sure where some of the information on the page is coming from.

"As a Worth Valley district councillor I meet regularly with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and raise issues and priorities that residents pass to me. I have not had any increase in crime being raised with me.”

Inspector Khalid Khan, of Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Policing Haworth is the preserve of Bradford District and we continue to regularly patrol this area, offer crime prevention and investigate reported crime.

“I would encourage any members of the public who encounter any suspicious behaviour or anyone who has been a victim of crime, to report it to police so it can be investigated thoroughly.

“Anyone who would like to report a crime can call 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

The Keighley News contacted the Haworth Howler Facebook page for comment, but had received no response by the time the paper went to print.