Birmingham's road back from riots is being held up as an example for the rest of Britain...
Community initiatives set up after the Lozells riots in Birmingham could be used as a national model for race relations.
The Government intends to roll out at least one of the anti-crime projects nationally if it achieves its aim of steering youths away from crime.
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Council leaders have met Home Office Ministers to discuss schemes set up in the city following the civil disorder caused by tension between black and Asian communities in north-west Birmingham last October.
They were particularly impressed with the Increase Peace initiative, where council workers and police engage youngsters in an attempt to guide them away from violent black and Asian gangs.
The scheme is spearheaded by the council's Youth Services department and sees officials bypassing traditional community leaders to engage with teenagers.
Coun Alan Rudge (Con Sutton Vesey), cabinet member for equality and human resources, said: "Increase Peace is about sharing ideas and building trust between different groups.
"The Government is impressed with our work and they invited two of my officers to a US race conference in Atlantic City.
"I went to London to speak to Home Office Ministers. It was very constructive and there is every possibility that our projects could be rolled out across the country if they prove successful."
Other initiatives in Lozells include the Breaking Bread project, where young people in inner city areas are encouraged to develop positive relationships with each other.
The city council also set up a Faith Round Table where different faith organisations meet equalities chiefs to exchange concerns and provide information.
The Government praise came after two reports were released claiming that communities in Oldham and Burnley remain polarised five years after race riots rocked both towns.
The first report, into Oldham riots which saw Asian gangs clash with white youths and police, said more needed to be done to build bridges between the communities.
The second, into the Burnley riots where white and Asian youths clashed, said the town was still deeply segregated.
Riots were sparked in Birmingham last year after unsubstantiated rumours about a gang-rape caused tension.
The West Midlands Police investigation into the riots was the largest the force has ever undertaken.
There were 644 reported incidents in the Lozells area from October 22 to 24, 271 recorded as crimes.
About 1,500 people were arrested in the disturbances, which led to the murder of black IT worker Isaiah Young-Sam.
Another man, 18-year-old Aaron James, was accidentally killed when he was shot by his friend as they ran away from police.
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