Police chiefs today denied claims in Bradford's race review that they are afraid to deal with some criminals gangs in fear of being branded racist.

The West Yorkshire force pointed to its policing of the Bradford riots as a "powerful demonstration" of its commitment to tackling crime.

But its Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, warned that a shortage of officers could also affect the way in which some areas are policed.

Lord Ouseley's race review concludes that policing in Bradford is "inconsistent", with law enforcement driven by containment policies and "keeping the peace".

It says that while top-down management appears to push anti-racist approaches, officers on the ground remain fearful of being branded racist if they tackle black and Asian offenders.

The report says: "Police methods cause resentment and perpetuate stereotypes and mythology. Asian young men in large gangs are alleged to boast that the police would not dare touch them for fear that they would "riot".

"Police know who the drug pushers are - but as long as the drugs are being peddled within the inner city and white suburbia is safe, they will do little or nothing."

West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Roger Benn said: "Individual officers dealing with things in a different way depending on where they are at the time is something their commanders would need to be made aware of and deal with.

"Such differences in dealing with people cannot be condoned. I have not been aware of any such incidents."

But he added: "It is a policy of the force that everyone is treated equally.

"Because there are not the numbers of police that are needed in the whole force some areas of the community are not policed in a way we would wish.

"This relates to anywhere in the force area.

"We just don't have the numbers of officers."

In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said: "Although West Yorkshire Police co-operated fully with the (race review) team and had membership of the panel, the report does not have a particular focus on police issues.

"Suggesting that the police have anything other than a minor part does not present an accurate, balanced or fair reflection of the report.

"Any claim that the police being afraid to tackle criminals in the Asian community or about failure to tackle drug dealing are simply not borne out of the facts.

"We have one of the highest arrest rates for drug dealing in the country and events in Bradford at the weekend are a powerful demonstration of the force's commitment to tackling crime in whatever form it takes."