LEADING members of East Lancashire's Asian community today met with police in the wake of last night's third London nail bomb attack, which killed two people and left five fighting for their lives and several more maimed and injured.

They have appealed for calm and co-operation, amid fears that right-wing extremists could target ethnic districts outside the capital.

The neo-nazi White Wolves group claimed to be behind the nail bomb, which went off in a busy London pub.

High visibility police patrols have already been increased in East Lancashire and officers have also launched a poster campaign urging people to be vigilant.

Today's meeting, which took place at Hodge House Community Centre, Nelson, was called by Mohammed Aslam, secretary of the Pendle Kashmir Welfare Association.

He said: "I have called on community leaders to meet together regarding the terrorist activities in London. Concern seems to be spreading like wildfire and we are taking the threat very seriously."

Mr Aslam said there had not been any incident recently to suggest East Lancashire could be targeted, but he wanted to make sure the peaceful relations between communities in the borough continued.

"I'm concerned about it because we have lived here in Pendle and we have had a very good atmosphere and harmony," he said.

"This is a threat to both communities, Asian and white, and we must all work together to make sure nothing is done to spoil the good relations we have."

Mr Aslam urged people to be on the lookout for suspicious packages and to report any incidents of racist hate mail being posted.

Earlier this week, Rafique Malik, secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, appealed for vigilance from East Lancashire's Asian communities.

Inspector David Shepherd, of Nelson police, added: "Because of the ethnic population in Pendle it's only right that we ask everyone to be more vigilant. We are increasing our patrols in certain areas and we would ask local people to help by being more careful and vigilant and contacting us straight away if they see anything suspicious."

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