THE Government has praised Thames Valley Police for its work in improving community and race relations in the region.

In two reports published last week, the Home Office identified the force as having a number of areas of good practice.

Winning the Race: Embracing Diversity said the force's performance in recording racist incidents and stop and search tactics had improved.

While the Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System report recognised the force's comprehensive recording of racist incidents which have doubled in each of its ten police areas in the last three years. A total of 999 racist incidents were recorded in 1999/2000, compared to 279 in the previous two years.

The force was also praised for adopting an anti-homophobia policy and the recruitment and retention of staff from ethnic minority communities.

Assistant chief constable Stephen Love said: "We are very encouraged by the findings of the Winning the Race report but we are not complacent. A lot of good work has already been done but much more remains."

The glowing reports have been helped by the force establishing a community and race relations officer in each police area to act as a point of contact for people from ethnic minority communities.

The force also carried out an audit of police areas and specialist departments in the wake of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry to identify ways to improve community and race relations. The force is now focusing on strengthening community links.