Thames Valley Police today promised to take action to stamp out any existing racism among officers in the force.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Davidson made the pledge hours before the publication of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report, which accuses the Metropolitan force of "institutionalised racism."

Senior officers in the Thames Valley are waiting for the policing reforms recommended in Sir William Macpherson's report, published this afternoon, before giving a detailed outline of exact proposals to tackle racism.

They pointed to the sacking of two officers who insulted a pub landlord as a clear indication that racism will not be tolerated.

Mr Davidson said: "We will take whatever action is necessary to eliminate racism and build confidence in our service.

"We have no doubt that the vast majority of officers and staff are not racist and would utterly condemn racist behaviour." But he warned: "Officers and staff are committed to delivering a quality service to the public as a whole and their morale may be affected if they are worried that they are being stereotyped as racist."

In 1996, Sgt Andy Hunter and Det Con Stephen Beach were sacked for shouting racist abuse at pub landlord Mike Hall. Before Christmas they lost their appeal to become reinstated.

Mr Hall was outside his pub in Buckingham when the off-duty officers drove past in an unmarked car and shouted "Oi, nigger!"

Sgt Hunter, based at Banbury, and Det Con Beach, of the force's drug squad, based at Kidlington headquarters, then crashed into a parked car and drove off.

But Mr Hall, whose father was Jamaican, noted their licence plate number and the men were traced.

The officers were ordered to appear before a disciplinary hearing and were told to resign in February, 1997.

Mr Hall, landlord of the New Inn pub in Buckingham, said after the incident: "I was disgusted by the actions of the officers concerned but the way the police have dealt with it has been in the right manner."

Sgt Hunter and Det Con Beach were effectively sacked on February 18, 1997, following a two-day hearing.

They appealed against the decision of Chief Constable Charles Pollard, but it was turned down by Home Secretary Jack Straw.

The incident which finished their careers in the Thames Valley force happened on February 27, 1996.

Earlier this month, the vice-chairman of National Police Officer's Association, Chief Insp Ali Dezaei, and Oxford police Inspector Simon Pont attended a meeting of the city council's race sub-committee.

Chief Insp Dezaei agreed to attend a public meeting after concerns were raised about the number of black people being stopped and searched by police in the Oxford area.

In 1997, former Asst Chief Con Ian Blair, the current chief in Surrey, admitted that the Thames Valley force had a poor record in recruiting black officers, with just 100 out of a total of 3,500. Sir William Macpherson's report on the Metropolitan Police handling of the murder of the black teenager Stephen Lawrence has been eagerly awaited.

He was killed by a gang in south-east London in 1993, months after Sir Paul Condon was appointed and vowed to stamp out racism in the force.

Story date: Wednesday 24 February

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