DISTURBANCES across West Yorkshire involving Asian youths are worrying. An arson attack on a church and violent scenes in some towns by out of control youths pledging their support for Osama Bin Laden cannot be dismissed as typical 'Mischief Night' pranks.

Here in Skipton, where there is a sizeable Asian community, we have, mercifully, avoided any such confrontations. Despite the fact that the image of a multi-cultural Britain living in harmony with integrated minorities appears a sick joke in our cities, relations between races and religions in our small community are holding up well.

While hotheads elsewhere may seize upon incidents to divide communities, Craven folk need to maintain their traditional calm and stoicism. Wild claims have to be taken with the contempt they deserve. The Asian community in the district is not plotting insurrection and remains keen to play its part in our society.