ASIAN businessmen and women in Lancashire are being urged to forge closer links with the police, and a series of top name guests from the world of show business and commerce have been lined up to launch the latest initiative.

Former Coronation Street star Saeed Jaffrey and Tahir Mohsan, director of Time Group Limited, are just two of the guests who will be at the launch.

Paul Stephenson, Lancashire's deputy chief constable, has also been pencilled in to speak at the conference.

The event has been organised with the aim of encouraging the Asian business community to get involved with community safety initiatives.

The Lancashire Partnership Against Crime has set up the event which takes place tomorrow at police headquarters in Hutton. Al Yusuf, the police's development officer, helped to organise and arrange the event.

He said: "What we are trying to do is create closer links between Asian businesses and the constabulary, particularly with the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime.

"We want the businesses to participate in community safety initiatives by becoming associate members of the Partnership.

"This is an opportunity for Asian businesses to learn more about the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime and to become involved."

Attendance at the event is strictly by invitation, available on a first-come first-served basis.

Anyone wanting more information or to book a place should ring Mr Yusuf on 01772 618796.

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