One of the many points highlighted by the Ouseley Report into the Bradford riots of two years ago was that early warning signs of trouble brewing were not acted upon.

Fortunately the extension of a monitoring system to detect levels of tension, as proposed in the Community Cohesion Delivery Plan, suggests that the hard lesson has been learned. The Council, Bradford Vision, West Yorkshire Police, the University and the voluntary sector are now all working together to ensure that if any tense situation arises it will be defused.

At the core of the policy is the development by the autumn of a "community cohesion monitor" for measuring levels of tension.

It is important that this network, which will extend across communities in Bradford, is not viewed with suspicision as a "spies' charter". Rather, it should be a mechanism for encouraging the people who live in the district to behave as responsible citizens who can make a real difference to its future.

The Community Cohesion Plan will also see the mounting of a zero tolerance campaign against violence, victimisation and racism, a campaign which is as much about protecting some of our most vulnerable citizens as it is about tackling some of the most horrific crimes we witness.

Of course, this work must primarily be about ensuring there is no repeat of the 2001 riots.

But the people of Bradford can rightly feel proud of the fact that work done in the district to repair that damage extends beyond its boundaries to be recognised as nationally significant and an example of the way forward for other towns and cities.