Police to hold discussion on race

Mr Cameron said the event was an opportunity for the community

Police are to host a discussion aimed at improving race and religious tolerance across the Forth Valley.

The event will look at race hate crime in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Falkirk and discuss counter terrorism in the Central Scotland Police area.

The conference comes after 21-year-old Alva student Mohammed Atif Siddique was jailed for terror offences last year.

The force's chief constable, Andrew Cameron, said the event would help bring local communities together.

Among those attending the conference will be Prof Mona Siddiqui from Glasgow University's department of theology and religious studies.

Beyond rhetoric

Speaking ahead of the event, she said: "There are challenges in the community. We tend to look at everything through the prism of terrorism. It gives things an urgency.

"But there are cultural, criminal and political issues that need to be discussed and it is important that we do not just hide behind political rhetoric but actually engage and develop constructive ways to tackle them.

"It is important that our police understand religious and cultural differences but also when people try to hide behind those differences to cover criminal behaviour."

Chief Constable Andrew Cameron said: "Central Scotland Police is committed to providing the highest level of service to all communities within Forth Valley and this event is an excellent opportunity to bring our communities together and explore their expectations of the police service."

The conference, which will take place on Sunday at 1300 GMT in Forth Valley College, will be hosted by writer and broadcaster the Right Reverend Richard Holloway.