Trevor Phillips, chairman of the CRE

Beginning his first day as head of the Commission for Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips has launched a campaign against extremists

A new Safe Communities Initiative is to produce a code aimed at reducing racial tensions in sensitive areas.

It will also cover issues including the timing of police patrols and information on other faiths available to teachers.

"It is an especially sensitive but vital task at this time. The tensions in and between some communities since September 11 have highlighted the dangers posed by extremists," said Phillips.

"This initiative is designed to give all decent and fair minded people the confidence, the advice and the support they need to prevent those tensions escalating into conflict."

"I have always felt that government and local government should be more pro-active in approaching these problems," he added.

The project will be based at the London headquarters of the CRE and will be led by an independent steering group chaired by former commissioner of the City of London police, Perry Nove.

"Many communities and the agencies working with them have experience of dealing with tensions and difficulties," Nove said.

"These need to be available to other communities facing such threats. My own experience as a police officer in the capital will be of help, but most importantly I want to help bring together the lesson others have learned so that no one else needs to start at the beginning."