Police seek to ease race tension

Muslim and Sikh leaders met police representatives

Police in Glasgow have called for calm amid heightened concerns from religious and ethnic groups following the atrocities in America.

Members of both the Islamic and Sikh communities have reported feeling under threat since the terrorist attacks in the US, which have been blamed on Muslim extremist Osama bin Laden.

Strathclyde police have met community representatives to assure them that all will be done to protect them.

Chief Constable Willie Rae said Strathclyde Police will not tolerate anyone using this tragedy as an excuse to commit a racist crime.

Chief Constable Willie Rae: "Vulnerable members of our society"

Mr Rae called the meeting to hear how different ethnic groups have been coping since the attacks on America.

Community leaders told him that people with turbans or long beards are often picked up on for minor taunts and sometimes assaults.

Mr Rae said racial incidents were in fact down in number on the same time last year.

Even so the Chief Constable said tensions have risen since the events of 11 September and there has been a small number of minor incidents, leaving members of some ethnic groups feeling vulnerable.

He called on people to stand together against racism and said anyone who has concerns should contact the police.

He said: "Do not allow the vulnerable members of our society to feel afraid and frightened because of the hooligan element that are out there.

"Everyone is condemning this act in America on 11 September. No-one wants to see extremists views imported into this part of Scotland."