Too few officers on the beat. Too few crimes detected. We have heard them all.

Some criticisms are fair, others not.

Today, however, we salute the operational support unit of West Yorkshire Police.

These elite officers cover a wide range of police work. Firearms and helicopter crews, underwater and mounted, dog handlers, the brave footsoldiers who form the main battle lines during riots and who are present at murder investigations.

There is even a specialist department devoted to wildlife who tackle unsavoury incidents of badger baiting and the stealing of rare species of birds and their eggs.

These are the people who are also called upon to attend major incidents.

Just weeks ago they went into Elland to help reassure the community and carry out house to house enquiries following the death of Billy Khan.

Not long ago the firearm team was deployed in Calderdale after reports of men seen in a car with a sawn off shot gun.

Many people will be unaware the operational support unit exists.

But their part in the eternal battle against crime should never be underestimated.