A police project launched in the wake of terror raids in Birmingham has landed the West Midlands force a top award for commitment to racial equality.
The force set up the Operational Advisory Group in Alum Rock following community concerns over the investigation into a terror plot to kidnap and behead a Muslim solider.
Operational Advisory Group members act as critical friends to the police and offer a way for the community to raise issues over policing. The advisory group, including 12 businesses, youth groups, faith leaders, education services, residents and senior police officers, are regularly consulted about police operations that may have an impact on the wider community.
Police said their work had helped improve trust and confidence between the police and the community.
As a result of the project, the force beat the Home Office to the Race Equality Impact Assessment Award (Public Sector) at the Race for Opportunity awards bash.
Chief Supt Tom Coughlan, Commander for the Aston area said: “This is fantastic news for both the force and the Operational Advisory Group.
“This group has been instrumental in helping the force to manage the impact of the recent terrorism arrests and should feel equally proud to have been given a national award.”
