Increased services to minority groups are on the cards with the appointment of a new police community and race relations officer by West Yorkshire Police.

Former Bradford officer Inspector Nadeem Butt, who will be based in the force's headquarters in Wakefield, aims to improve on existing links with groups and organisations throughout the area.

"We have got one or two projects which are underway and will be piloted throughout the force area to extend our service to the community," he said.

"We are looking at all the issues of minority groups from domestic violence to antisocial behaviour by kids hanging around on street corners.

"And we have enlarged the department - in fact we have more than doubled the strength in the last month to tackle these issues.

"The reporting of racist incidents has been brought to the fore and, as a result, the number has increased over the last 12 months because we have been keen to make it easier and the definition of a racist incident has been widened greatly so it will catch a great deal more types of incidents in the net. We also want to encourage the gay and lesbian communities to report incidents against them."

The 30-year-old, who joined the police 11 years ago, will be responsible for drawing up and introducing strategies and polices for all 17 divisions within the force - and then making sure they are followed.

He will also be working closely with other agencies like councils and trying to solve other community problems. "I am really looking forward to meeting representatives of all the local community groups and organisations," he said.

Insp Butt, who served in Bradford and Leeds, succeeds Inspector Stuart Brook, who has retired after 30 years with the force.

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