BURNLEY'S task force today blamed white and Asian criminals for starting the disturbances which wreaked havoc in the town for three days in June.

Drug dealing gangs in Daneshouse and Colne Road took advantage of mistrust and racism to fan the flames of the riots and escalate a dispute over money, the report revealed today.

The report expressed concerned that some of Burnley's white population had been influenced by the British National Party.

It said that racist views held by some in the town had their foundation in the poor communication between the governed and the local government.

The report took a general swipe at the council, saying there wasn't enough healthy debate in the Burnley Council chamber and certain maverick councillors had bad influence over other members.

The inquiry into the widespread disturbances in June revealed that there is no single truly multi cultural structure in the town that allows people from all sections of the community to interact with each other.

The task force believes that multi cultural structures should be set up on a borough-wide basis as a priority.

It said trouble at the Duke of York public house in Burnley was not triggered by racism originally but by white and Asian drug dealers arguing about money and things escalated from there.

The report said: "There is no doubt that following the initial disturbances white racists took advantage to exacerbate a situation to promote disharmony. It was said that some of these people came from out of town and appeared to have come just to cause trouble."

Burnley speaks, who listens? -- the name of the Burnley task force report launched at Turf Moor early today -- looks at what led Burnley to the point where violence and prejudice was allowed to dominate.

The report outlines 15 recommendations:

1. Forming a local strategic partnership for overseeing action arising from the task force.

2. Planning for future disturbances -- the police should liaise with Burnley Council to determine whether improvements could be made in intelligence gathering and strategic planning.

3. Housing -- the government should review its dispersal programme for asylum seekers and housing associations should consider whether and how they can increase the attractiveness of their properties for black and minority ethnic households.

4. Community relations -- whenever resources are directed to areas with large minority ethnic communities the reasons for this and any conditions applying should be communicated effectively to the people of Burnley.

5. Community and voluntary sectors should institute a programme of consultation to examine restructuring for the benefit of the community it serves.

6. Burnley Council -- government should respond formally to the request to reimburse the expenditure incurred by Burnley Council as a result of the disturbances and the setting up of the task force and the council should examine its current organisation and staffing arrangements.

7. Regeneration -- all regeneration partnerships and the borough's local strategic partnership should prioritise work to communicate their activities to Burnley's residents.

8. Burnley's economy -- all economic support agencies should urgently assess how they can deliver their services more locally to Burnley's deprived communities.

9. The police -- Burnley police should give consideration to the provision of a direct "drugs line" which would allow people to contact the police on drug related matters.

10. The media should develop its own strategies for reporting in a fair and accurate way local issues which could contribute towards racial tension.

11. Education is a key issue of concern for the local community of Burnley. Issues regarding the allocation of school places needs to be considered by the LEA.

12. Youth and community -- LCC should seek to recruit more minority ethnic youth workers.

13. Crime and disorder -- that Burnley Community Safety Partnership takes action in relation to alcohol misuse among youngsters.

14. Taxi and private hire industry -- all road users should be treated equally and without any form of selective form of prosecution from residents.

15. The task force will continue to hold talks with Home Secretary David Blunkett over claims for compensation.

Lord Clarke said in his report: "We believe that the reasons for some of the outright racist views held by many, including some quite young people, have their foundation in the poor communication between the governed and the government in Burnley.

"That does not in any way detract that Burnley does have in its midst a number of people who are committed to racism and the fostering of race hatred."

Burnley task force also recommended that contact be made with those on whose behalf the research was conducted in Bradford, Oldham and Rochdale to enable the sharing of knowledge and experience of the issues raised by the research.

Burnley Council leader, Stuart Caddy said: "I am very pleased that the task force report has highlighted the wish of members and officers of the council to work together and make a positive difference to people's lives and to make Burnley a better place to live and work.

"We have to consider this report very carefully and we will start that process this week."

The task force said it was concerned that some of Burnley's white population had been influenced by the BNP.

For more news about the riots report...click here.