Parents who know their children took part in the Bradford riots should hand them over to the police, the Pakistani High Commissioner has urged.

Abdul Kader Jafer issued his ultimatum before addressing high ranking leaders of the Pakistani community as part of a fact-finding mission to Bradford in the wake of the disturbances.

The High Commissioner, who travelled up from London, said he would like to see "peace, stability and progress" in every city where Pakistanis had made their home.

Speaking at the Grange Interlink Community Centre in Little Horton yesterday, he added that Bradford's community needed a leader to show them the way and unite both young and old elements.

But he sent out a stark message to those members of the Pakistani community who had taken part in the riot which left the city facing an estimated £15 million repair bill.

"Action should be taken against those who have broken the law. Everybody has got to be a law-abiding citizen," he said.

"The young people must listen to their elders. Parents must be respected - this is most important in any religion." Asked if this meant parents should report their children to the authorities if they had carried out criminal acts, he replied "yes".

As part of his tour, Mr Jafer also visited the Lister Park BMW dealership in Oak Lane, Manningham, which was burnt to the ground after the riot in the city centre spilled into that area.

He said: "I couldn't just be a bystander in London and hear all the criticism about the Pakistani community in Bradford.

"When a person is ill, he is ill because there is a disease and you must give him a medicine. I hope I can help to find that medicine."

Mohammed Riaz, ethnic minority affairs adviser to the Conservatives, said he organised the tour after a personal request from the High Commissioner. Mr Riaz, pictured right with Mr Jafer (seated), said: "The main idea was to provide a focal point for the business and community leaders and to exchange views and ideas on what took place less than a fortnight ago.

"It is very kind of the High Commissioner to come and meet people of Pakistani origin in Bradford."