Race relations workers in Bradford today welcomed the decision by West Yorkshire Police to end a two-year recruitment freeze.

The surprise move to take on 60 more officers is seen as the first step in the battle to meet tough new Government targets for ethnic minority recruitment.

Ishtiaq Ahmed, director of the Bradford Race Equality Council, said the fact the city was home to many different cultures needed to be reflected in the make up of its police force. "I am delighted these extra places are being made available for the New Year. It is an unexpected bonus," he said.

The decision to lift the recruitment freeze was taken by police chiefs after the force made efficiency savings worth £500,000 in the first six months of the financial year.

Mr Ahmed said: "I welcome the news. However the decision to taken on an extra 60 officers will be a drop in the ocean unless it is backed up by regular recruitment campaigns. There needs to be an assurance that each officer will have the same opportunities open to him or her in terms of progressing up the career ladder."

Police in Bradford have a database of more than a hundred potential recruits from ethnic minority backgrounds waiting for a chance to join up. Inspector Martin Bains, race relations officer for the Bradford district, said those applicants would now be contacted again and given the opportunity to re-apply.

He said: "It's a good foundation to build on and we will be working hard to attract new applicants from all sections of the community, males and females."

Launching the recruitment campaign, with the theme A Team Strengthened by Differences Chief Constable Graham Moore said he was particularly keen to get more female officers into the force.

Inspector Baines said: "There is an imbalance in the number of women applying. That imbalance seems to be the same in all sections of the community, and it is something we are keen to redress."

West Yorkshire has 5,065 police officers, of which around 134 or 2.6 per cent are from ethnic backgrounds. Home Secretary Jack Straw's target is nine per cent. There are just over 700 women officers, who make up 14 per cent of the force.

Potential candidates can get a recruitment pack by calling (01924) 292269.

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