The Bishop of Bradford today called on the community to collaborate, co-operate and show tolerance after a year of shocks and drama.

The Right Reverend David Smith, pictured, who was out on the streets with a mission of peace at the height of the July riots, warned that Bradford must not drift but act decisively.

He spoke out following the hard-hitting report on Bradford's race relations from Lord Ouseley, which was unconnected with the summer riots, but coincidentally published within days.

Another study commissioned by the Home Office from a team headed by Ted Cantle, former chief executive of Nottingham Council, was also published just 12 days ago. Bradford trade unionist Mohammed Taj was a member of the team producing the report which will lead to firm strategies by the Government on community harmony.

But the Bishop said: "The July riots were far more vicious and calculated than the 1995 disturbances.

"We all have a resolve to help ensure this never happens again.

"I think it has been a year in which some largely unexpected and very dramatic events made people of all backgrounds stop and think what life is all about.

"September 11 was a dramatic shock which has concentrated the minds of many people on the problems of terrorism.

"I hope it will serve to bring us to our senses and we will move forward with collaboration, co-operation and tolerance.

"It is important not to drift into the situation we did before."

He said many of the issues brought up in the Bradford Congress study carried out after the 1995 Manningham riots were also in the new reports.

"It is not a time for fighting between groups. It is a time for working together and doing positive things."

The Bishop, who will step down in June and move to York, said the official procedure was for former Bishops to live outside the Diocese they had previously served.

He said: "We have loved Bradford and loved its people quite genuinely. But the new Bishop must have a completely clear field.

"All senior church posts have been filled in the past 18 months and it is the right time for the Diocese to have a new Bishop. But we will miss Bradford like anything.