Every police officer in Bradford is to receive special training in how to deal with terrorist suicide bombers.

While senior officials would not release the precise details of the guidance for security reasons, it is believed officers will be warned not to initially confront suspects but to seek back-up instead.

Forces across the country have been warned to be on the alert for al Qaida terrorists, particularly as Britain and America prepare for a possible war against Iraq.

The new security advice, to be passed to every officer in Britain, was put together by the suicide terrorism working group of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

Its chairman Barbara Wilding said the police would be "failing in their duty" if they did not prepare officers for such a possible scenario.

Mrs Wilding, who is also a Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said: "We know al Qaida has the capability.

"These people are martyrs and for them to live is to fail - and that is the big learning curve for us.

"Clearly, we would be failing in our duty if we did not take this seriously."

On the content of the new advice, Mrs Wilding said: "It is very simple. Do not intervene and do not challenge."

A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "Guidelines have gone out to all forces and will be filtered down to all officers.

"This is an operational police document and will not be available to the public."

Before drawing up the document, which will not be made public, Mrs Wilding visited Israel and Sri Lanka for advice on strategy to cope with suicide bombers.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "The guidance has been created by a working group co-ordinated by the Metropolitan Police.

"Once these have been received they will be incorporated in accordance with good practice into training and filtered down to staff."