EMERGENCY measures to cope with the impending threat of war are being developed in Craven.

Chief Inspector Nick Smedley said police officers had already had refresher training on how to deal with major incidents and security had been stepped up around certain locations, including the American surveillance station at Menwith Hill.

"From a Craven perspective we have nothing which could be considered a target. We are not near any major airports, and we don't have any military establishments," he said.

He added that since September 11 there had been close liaison with the Asian community in case of reprisal attacks.

"We have had a couple of minor incidents but if the situation escalates there is always the potential of radical people having a go at the Asian community."

Other emergency services are also putting strategies in place.

A spokeswoman for the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service told the Herald: "We have an emergency planning officer who links in with all the other organisations including the hospitals, fire service and councils. We have been issued with equipment for decontamination and there are emergency plans in place."

She added that the service was stepping up its plans to deal with any biological incidents.

Fiona Page, communications manager for the Airedale NHS Trust, said: "We regularly review our major incident plans and provide appropriate training for staff.

"Since September 11, NHS preparations have been stepped up and Airedale NHS Trust is continuing to increase its preparedness by working with partners in the NHS and other organisations such as the police.

And Robin Myshrall, head of emergency planning at North Yorkshire County Council, said the council would support the emergency services by organising the non-emergency services.

"In the event of any sort of deliberate attack the police would take the lead and we would act to support the police and emergency services. We are fine tuning our systems to make sure we are capable of providing that support."

Lindsey Quinn, the emergency planning officer for Craven District Council, is currently preparing a report on the response to chemical attacks for the senior management. "It is in the very early stages," she said.