SIR The events of July 7, 2001, portrayed in the Channel 4 drama Bradford Riots, caused a huge setback to community relations in Bradford.

All sectors of the community encouraged those responsible to come forward and face the consequences, but the subsequent disproportionate punishment of the rioters devastated the communities' faith in justice and fairness.

Five years on local people have been making efforts to rebuild communities. However, the educational, social and economic position of residents with Pakistani ancestry has not improved.

Seventy per cent are leaving school with no qualifications; youth unemployment is three times the district average and those entering self-employment are still mainly concentrated in narrow sectors, such as independent retail and taxi driving.

Third and fourth generation residents of Pakistani origin now form a quarter of the city's workforce. Despite this, the number of British Pakistanis employed in senior or management roles in all sectors is woefully low.

Individuals from these communities are systematically excluded from positions of influence even in initiatives designed to support the development of their communities.

We must tackle the barriers to better employment and education opportunities if we are to overcome the more fundamental problems of community cohesion that still exist.

Dr Mohammad Ali OBE, Chief Executive, QED UK, Manningham Lane, Bradford