Public and private sector leaders in Birmingham have vowed to redouble efforts to promote racial and religious harmony in the aftermath of the London terrorist attacks.

The city faces a difficult challenge if it is to develop a society based on security and justice rather than "sliding into intolerance and conflict", the Birmingham Strategic Partnership warned.

The BSP, which brings together key public agencies including the police, private, faith and voluntary sectors, promised to do more to gauge the views of "people who are not normally listened to".

This would include young people, women and those "who go to the gym, snooker hall or public house" who needed to feel just as involved as elderly male community leaders.

A statement agreed by all BSP members said: "In the coming years, Birmingham will continue to become a more ethnically diverse city, a fact which we should promote and be proud of.

"Integration, trust and respect between the various ethnic and religious communities within the city is not only desirable, but essential for Birmingham's economy to prosper.

"Indeed, the long term success of the city is dependent on it.

"We must work against polarisation and towards a tolerant, diverse society built on co-operation, trust, security and understanding.

"In Birmingham we can all contribute towards the objective of a peaceful, prosperous, secure and just society which everyone feels equally part of and whose members' views are listened to and responded to."

There was criticism of the Government, which the BSP feels is concentrating its efforts on only talking to the Muslim community.

The statement added: "We feel that all communities in Birmingham can contribute towards taking things forward. We call for further work on inter-faith activities at local level to build upon the work done on a city-wide basis by the Faith Leaders Group and Council of Faiths.

"This is a challenge that can be faced by the members of

7." local churches, mosques, gurdwaras, temples and other religious institutions without any need for central involvement.

"The city requires consultation processes which can reach more widely than, but are entirely inclusive of, faith communities. We call upon all organisations in Birmingham to use their consultation procedures to ask for responses from people as to what they think should happen after July

Established in 2001, the BSP is one of a number of similar bodies in cities across the country set up by the Government to deliver neighbourhood renewal and tackle deprivation.

BSP chairman John Hemming, the Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley and a city councillor, who wrote the statement, is calling for a city-wide debate about the best way to achieve a secure and just society.

Mr Hemming said: " Communication is key. We need to listen to the views of all communities about how we can take things forward.

"It is important at a time of heightened stress that everyone is listening.

"It requires effort from the public sector generally to reach out to people and say 'your views are important'."