Senior police officers are meeting community leaders in Bradford to reassure the public after the latest terrorist threats in Britain.

Police have held a series of informal meetings with key community contacts in the district and the Bradford minorities police liaison committee is due to meet tonight after the failed car bombings in London and Glasgow.

Phone and e-mail messages of reassurance are also being sent out.

Bradford's race and community relations inspector, Mark Leighton, said people in the Bradford district were coping well with the terrorism developments, but there were still a lot of challenges to be faced.

He said there had been shock in the local community that the attacks had happened, but relief that no-one had died and that there were no apparent links to Bradford.

"The possibility of such attacks has been common knowledge among all communities, so it was not an absolute surprise," said Insp Leighton.

"The terrorist threat is not going to go away in the short term and with that in mind we need help from anyone who has information about anybody involved in extremism. We are asking all communities to remain vigilant and ensure that any suspicious activity is reported to police.

Insp Leighton added: "These attacks of terrorism do not help any communities. They are damaging to the nation as a whole. Extremism needs to be challenged, wherever it is. All communities have to come together to tackle terrorism.

"There are lots of efforts being made in the district to build bridges and increase understanding between communities and there are very good relationships in this city."

Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour should contact a special anti-terror hotline on 0800789321

Policing patrols have been stepped up at Leeds-Bradford International Airport and at Bradford's railway stations in response to the latest terrorist threat.

Extra police, including armed officers, are on duty at the airport. Vehicles, picking up or dropping off travellers, are being diverted from the normal parking bays in front of the main terminal building to the short-stay car park.

Only taxis and buses are being allowed to use the normal pick-up points.

A number of police vehicles are positioned outside the terminal building and car park entrance.

All vehicles arriving at the airport are being searched.

Chief Inspector Keith Gilert, of Pudsey-Weetwood Police, said: "While we ask people to remain vigilant about terrorism, there is nothing to suggest West Yorkshire is at any additional risk. We would like to reassure the public that we are doing our utmost to ensure the continued safety of the community."

The airport said there had been no disruption to flights and passengers had been supportive. But they were advised to give themselves extra time. And more rail passengers are being randomly searched in a high visibility security drive by the British Transport Police.

A spokesman said more officers were on duty at Bradford Interchange and Forster Square stations and police were making more use of powers under the Terrorism Act to search vehicles on approach roads to mainline stations, and individual passengers.

The random searches would be in place for the foreseeable future. "We would urge people to be extra vigilant and to take all their luggage with them," said the spokesman.

David Mallender, of TransPennine Express, which runs services through West Yorkshire between Manchester and Scarbor-ough, said stations were being regularly checked.