A WELFARE group for Lancashire's black and Asian police officers has been given the go-ahead by Chief Constable Pauline Clare.

But the Police Federation, which has represented the views of members since 1919, insists it will continue to look after the interests of all rank and file officers.

The new initiative is due to be launched this summer after a group of ethnic minority officers approached senior force officials asking for an organisation to represent their interests.

There are currently about 30 Asian policemen and eight Asian policewomen among Lancashire's 3,200 officers.

The new group will also be open to Afro-Caribbeans and other minority groups, as well as Special Constables, civilian and support staff.

Similar organisations have already been set up in other forces in a bid to highlight the special needs of ethnic minorities and look after their interests.

Mrs Clare said: "I am pleased to say that a branch of the Black Police Association is being formed within Lancashire Constabulary.

"I look forward to working with it, alongside the Police Federation and other support groups."

Federation officials have already had an informal meeting with the new group.

Lancashire Federation chairman Paul Marsh said: "The Police Federation and Lancashire Constabulary make it quite clear that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

"We have noted what the Black Police Association have to say but feel that the proper representative body for all police officers is the Police Federation.

"It may be that the Black Police Association is an informative organisation that both the Police Federation and the Lancashire Constabulary can consult where appropriate."

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