A REPORT which praised police work against racism in Blackburn has prompted Home Secretary Jack Straw to launch a new drive to stamp out racial prejudice in forces throughout the country.

The Blackburn MP is setting up a high level Home Office working group after the report, by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, also found there are still "pockets of wholly unacceptable racist policing" across the country.

The working group, which includes Home Office officials and representatives of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Association of Chief Police Officers, will report directly to Mr Straw on progress in tackling the problem.

Among measures announced by the Home Secretary were:

A revised recruitment test.

A national conference next year in association with the Black Police Association to examine recruitment and retention of ethnic minority officers.

A greater emphasis being given to community and race relations.

A close look at every force's policing plans for 1998 to make sure they take account of the HMIC report.

He said: "I am very impressed by the open and self-critical tone of this report. It shows that the police have come a long way.

"But performance is patchy and there is more that could be done.

"I am determined to tackle racial discrimination wherever it is found and to ensure that there are good relations between the police and the community."

The report singled out for praise a training initiative launched by Blackburn Police's Ethnic Minority Liaison Team, which called on the expertise of members of the ethnic community in advising community beat officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Tarique Ghaffur, Lancashire Constabulary's acting head of operations, said: "The report confirms that the police service in general has done a great deal to foster good community relations and we are pleased it also acknowledges our efforts to tackle racism, discrimination and harassment.

"We are especially pleased that the report gives examples of good practice, particularly since one of those referred to is one our initiatives in Blackburn.

"And, while there is also reference to some shortcomings and areas for improvement, we remain committed to our work and to our efforts to promote and maintain our relationships with all sections of our public."

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