CHIEF CONSTABLE'S INTER-CULTURAL RECEPTION

To the HQ of Leicestershire Constabulary this evening, for the annual Chief Constable's Inter-Cultural Reception. We've a new Chief Constable this year, Simon Cole, and as soon as I arrive, I can see he's doing things differently. My first thought would be to say that this year, there's more police and less reception, but that would be unfair. A considerable number of displays have been set up for we guests, illustrating and explaining many aspects of the work of the Police. That's new - and welcome too. I pass round these, stopping for a chat at a few of them, before having longer conversations with Yassin Desai (of the Association of Muslim Police) and Amarjit Singh Sanghera (of the Association of Sikh Police -photo above).

After the Chief Constable welcomes everyone with a short speech, Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths, Cllr Manjula Sood, responds.

This is the fourth time I've attended this function. While our hosts may be a little more sparing on the hospitality this year (as befits the financial climate) tonight's event is all the more vital because of the approaching demonstration by the English Defence League (EDL) and counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) which will be held in the city on Saturday 9 October. What have certainly been fine words in the past (in terms of relations between the Police and the faith/cultural communities) are now being more directly expressed in action.