THE president of the National Gipsy Council has hit out at police for allegedly harassing travellers - and says the case could be taken to the Home Office.

Hughie Smith has made a formal complaint to David Kenworthy, Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, claiming that residents of a site in Malton are being subjected to racially-motivated intimidation.

The organisation wants a full inquiry into complaints by residents regarding the police presence at Tara Park, on the outskirts of the town. Mr Smith said the matter would be brought to the attention of the Home Office if sufficient action was not taken.

The allegations include one officer subjecting residents to "a third-degree inquiry", police vehicles driving on to the site at all hours, and general accusations of intimidation and harassment.

In his letter to the chief constable, Mr Smith said: "We regard the actions of the police in Malton as having racist undertones, as a result of which we are now forced to bring a formal complaint of harassment against those responsible."

Inspector Neil Burnett, of Malton police, said he was aware of Mr Smith's complaint.

"At this stage a letter of complaint has been sent to the chief constable which will be addressed locally in Malton. The police do visit the site on a regular basis and for a number of legitimate policing reasons," he said.