A NEW campaign against racial attacks and harassment in Blackburn and Darwen was being launched today.

The initiative, backed by the police and the town hall, has been put together by the borough's Racial Attack Forum.

Pioneering ideas in the scheme include confronting people behind racist attacks and changing the legal system.

An action plan has been drawn up following a survey of ethnic minorities.

It was being unveiled at Blackburn town hall by members of the Forum, the Racial Equality Council and the police

Suggestions include increasing work in primary schools to educate youngsters away from racism.

Other ideas involve more initiatives in further education centres and outside schools in community projects.

There are also plans for direct links between the Racial Attacks Forum and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The aim would be to give the Forum a say on whether a case involving a racial attack should be prosecuted in the courts.

The CPS chooses whether it is in the public interest to go ahead with cases and the Racial Attacks Forum want to increase its involvement in decision making.

Macolm Doherty, Blackburn Council leader, said: "Unfortunately racial harassment does exist in Blackburn.

"The Forum and its partners are aiming to reduce the number of incidents through prevention education and challenging perpetrators.

"The report highlights some much needed reforms to our current system which we are keen to develop."

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