A POLICEMAN heralded as one of the main reasons why Blackburn has avoided major racial disturbances has been rewarded by Lancashire's Chief Constable.

Chief inspector Andy Pratt was awarded the George Herbert Redman Award for improving police public relations "beyond normal duty".

The Eastern Division officer is known for his commitment to improve relations between the Asian communities in East Lancashire. His work is said to have helped avoid racial disturbances in Blackburn when other 'hot-spots' suffered from rioting.

Award trustees praised Chief Insp Pratt and runners-up PC Craig Mossop and Assistant Divisional Officer Ken Bateson.

Presenting the awards, Chief Constable Paul Stephenson said: "It's a pleasure to present awards like this which recognise the hard work of officers in the constabulary. These officers are the pride of the force."

Chief Inspector Pratt has consistently worked for the benefit of communities in East Lancashire.

In 1996 he developed the role of and introduced the first Asian-link worker in the UK to encourage Asian women to report domestic violence. He then worked to develop contacts with the Asian community bringing about a significant change in policing tactics for Asian events such as Eid.

As a prime mover in the development of the Ethnic Minority Young Persons Forum for Blackburn, Chief Insp Pratt helped develop a multi-agency approach to further the social, educational and economic development of Asian youths. And in 1997 he was invited to speak at the International Police Seminar held in Cologne, Germany, giving his presentation 'Ethnic Minorities in European Countries - Identity and Integration of the Third Generation.'

He has also undertaken three language courses in Urdu and made two trips to Pakistan and one to India with specific learning and developmental opportunities in mind.

He was also selected to be a part of the Home Secretary's Review of the Metropolitan Police following the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and worked on a strategy to beat racist crime.

The annual George Herbert Redman Award recognises his tireless efforts to work with the Asian communities of Eastern Division. Chief Insp Pratt donated his cheque for £400 to Life Education Centres for Lancashire.