Young people are calling for random drug checks on pupils in Bradford schools.

The call is one of a series of recommendations by the Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament (BKYP) to tackle drugs and racism in the district.

Most young people surveyed by the BKYP believe racism is common in schools and drugs are easy to obtain on Bradford streets.

The BKYP presented three reports on drugs, racism and youth provision at its second annual conference yesterday.

BKYP Youth Member of Parliament (YMP) Wasim Ahmed, 14, told the conference 872 young people responded to a survey on the three issues.

It revealed 83 per cent of them thought it quite likely or very likely that racist abuse would occur on city and town streets.

And eight out of ten thought racism would occur in schools.

Wasim, a pupil at Challenge College in Frizinghall said: "The recommendations we have made are for more visible police officers, more CCTV cameras and more training for teachers on how to deal with racial abuse effectively."

According to the survey, four out of ten young people believed asylum seekers should not be allowed into the country.

Wasim said this showed the need for better education among young people about the facts surrounding asylum seekers.

One in ten young people thought it was cool to take drugs and more than 80 per cent thought it was easy to get drugs on the street, the report said.

Now the parliament is calling on schools to develop anti-drugs and anti-racism policies.

Its report also calls for drug prevention officers and random checks in Bradford schools.

The BKYP's second annual conference took place yesterday at the Hilton Hotel to allow young people to put their ideas to experts.

They met expert panels to discuss drugs, racism and youth provision. Panel members included drugs and alcohol worker Linda Pollock; The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev David James and Chris Whiley, the head of Bradford Council's Youth Service.

Around 20 members of the BKYP produced a play dealing with the issues being discussed.

The BKYP was formed in 2002 to get young people involved in running services which affect them. It is now in its second term and has 30 YMPs who meet twice a week.

YMPs Wasim Ahmed and Mark Yardley have both been co-opted onto Bradford Council's Young People and Education Improvement Committee, which scrutinises education in the district.

However its Neighbourhood Renewal funding runs out this year and it is not yet clear who will fund the parliament in future.

BKYP project co-ordinator Mick Chandsoor said: "These young people give up their own time; they are not paid; it is voluntarily for them.

"Our biggest success has been getting two members on a Council committee. As far as I know this is unique and I know the Council is looking to do this with more committees in future."

Speaking at the conference, Coun Dale Smith, Bradford Council's executive member for education, also paid tribute to the youth parliament and that he was committed to seeing its work continue.

e-mail: john.roberts@bradford.newsquest.co.uk