REPRESENTATIVES from Redditch's minority groups are invited to join an existing police steering group.

North Worcestershire police are looking for new members to help move its Diversity Steering Group forward.

The group was launched several months ago and aims to represent race, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation and belief.

Group co-ordinator, Inspector Mel Crowther, explained: "The group reviews and develops policies to make sure we take into consideration all of our community needs.

"Members put forward their perspective on issues and tell us about their life experiences. We are very aware that there are things we don't know and we want to address that."

He said that so far, topics covered have ranged from recruitment to police search policies.

Redditch Pakistani Community Forum spokesman Perwaiz Khawaja, who sits on the group, added: "We have helped the police develop policies and protocols and we have helped raise their awareness of cultural diversity and ethnicity.

"Being on the steering group has really helped to improve relationships and understanding between the community and the police. Many members of the community now feel confident to seek help from the police."

Members of the group are paid expenses and an hourly rate for every time they meet or are asked for assistance. The group meets every month at one of three venues across the force area. The North Worcestershire force area is also looking to recruit diversity officers for Redditch, Bromsgrove and Kidderminster, which will provide direct points of contact for members of minority groups.

Anyone interested in joining the diversity steering group can call Inspector Crowther on 01562 826021.