David Blunkett has spoken out against "hidden racism" as part of his drive to boost race relations.

The home secretary "reaffirmed the government's commitment to tackling discrimination" in Britain in a key note speech in Huddersfield, one of the northern towns where ministers hope to calm tensions ahead of the local elections.

Addressing the Kirklees Race Equality Council at the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield, Blunkett urged voters to "resist the efforts of those like the far right who wish to drive wedges into our society".

He said that communities "must recognise that racism and discrimination continue to exist" and that "hidden barriers to key public services, opportunities and institutions remain".

Progress was being made, he insisted, with the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 being "the most far reaching reform of race law in Britain for 30 years".

"But this is not just about changing the law, I am determined to tackle the inequality that minority ethnic groups still experience in accessing jobs, housing and education in Britain today," he said.

Ignoring critics who accuse him of stoking up racial tensions with his tough policy on asylum and support for military action in Iraq, the home secretary said that tackling race inequality must be supported by building stronger communities.

"Strong, cohesive communities are vital if we are to resist the efforts of those like the far right who wish to drive wedges into our society," he argued.

Blunkett was in his native Yorkshire for a series of policy initiatives.

With May's local elections fast approaching, the home secretary tried to focus minds on his battles against crime and injustice as the war with Iraq continues to consume most newspaper headlines.

The Sheffield MP spent Friday morning inspecting a hi-tech system which allows police ID parades to be set up in hours rather than days.

He launched the Viper system, designed by West Yorkshire Police and funded by the Home Office, in Wakefield.

The system cost £7.6 million to set up and will be shared by 13 forces during trials.

It uses a national database of thousands of "mugshots" from which a number are selected to be shown to witnesses alongside a suspect's photograph.

Live ID parades can take weeks to organise so officials expect VIPER to speed up investigations and prosecutions.

Blunkett also visited the Kirklees Home Start project, which he said was providing "essential" support and guidance to local families.