THE new initiative launched today in East Lancashire to fight racism and harassment, in the form of the police and council-backed Racial Attack Forum, is a welcome venture.

The evils of race-based bigotry do need purging from our society.

This venture aims to educate, by taking the anti-racism message into schools and elsewhere, and to control, by confronting alleged perpetrators.

However, its success will be even greater if, from the outset, it is seen to be an even-handed body.

It must crack down on all forms of racism, not just that of white people against ethnic groups, but also vice-versa.

For while it is true that ethnic minorities are by far the greatest victims of racism in our society, there are also occasional instances of it occurring the other way round.

These should also be treated with equal vigilance by the Forum.

Then, the chances of community-wide co-operation in stamping out this evil will be greatly improved.

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