Smith orders police race inquiry

The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has ordered a national police inquiry into how ethnic minorities are treated within forces in England and Wales. Police Minister Vernon Coaker will conduct a two-week investigation into recruitment and promotional practices.

The move comes after London Mayor Boris Johnson yesterday announced an inquiry into alleged racism within the Metropolitan Police.

The Home Office stressed yesterday that the appraisal is not a review, meaning that any lasting changes to police practices are unlikely.

Smith insisted that the police had "come a long way" since the publication in 1999 of the Macpherson Report, which found "institutional racism" in the Met.

"Over the last 10 years minority ethnic representation in the police service has doubled. However, we accept there is a long way to go, and we are determined to work with the police to achieve that.

She said she was "disappointed" by a pledge by the Metropolitan Black Police Association to warn off minorities from working in the Met. The groups advertising campaign to discourage ethnic minorities applicants for the Met was "unhelpful".