POLICE have mounted extra patrols at "sensitive premises" amid a pledge to support Bury's Muslim community.

The assurance has come from members of Bury Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in the wake of the terrorism in America.

Joint chairman of the CSP, Bury police divisional commander Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood, said: "This is a difficult time for us all and heightened tensions following the atrocities in America have inevitably increased apprehension locally.

"The police have mounted extra patrols at sensitive premises. As always, we will investigate racist incidents thoroughly and will not hesitate to prosecute people where appropriate."

Co-CSP chairman, Bury Council chief executive Mark Sanders, commented: "It is very important during this time to try to reinforce and build upon the good multi-racial harmony work that already takes place in the community. "The education service in partnership with all of Bury's schools will seek to get this message across."

Bury Racial Equality Council chairman, Dr Mohammed Salim, said: "It is important to build upon the already successful partnership working between agencies.

"The REC, in partnership with others, will attempt to seek support from community-based organisations to hold a meeting to ensure they are kept informed of the situation."

The CSP says it is important all people in the borough do their utmost not to reflect the tensions elsewhere in the world and not to react in an anti-social way.

The Community Safety Partnership is the statutory body responsible for reducing crime and disorder in the borough.

One of its six priorities is to tackle race-related crime. There are six multi-agency working groups to drive forward these priorities.

Chairman of the working group on tackling racist crime, Mr Preston Hulse, from the Probation Service, said: "The racist working group has done much to make reporting easier by having multi-reporting sites.

"It has also attempted to open up the debate through a conference earlier this year. A new post has been created to promote community harmony, the purpose of which will include easing tensions if they become apparent."