ETHNIC minorities in County Durham are being given the chance to influence how the police and the criminal justice system treat them.

The county's police force, like others across the country, is setting up an independent advisory group (IAG).

But Durham's is thought to be the only one in the country that will also include the bodies and agencies that make up the local criminal justice board - including the probation, prison and youth engagement services.

PC Chris Watkins, the force's community cohesion officer, said: "When it is up and running, the IAG will help forge stronger links between the agencies and our black and ethnic minority communities.

"This is an opportunity for people from those communities to be 'critical friends' and influence how they are dealt with by the criminal justice system.

"And Durham's advisory group will be the only one in the country to deal not just with the police but the other main organisations as well.''

The county has a small ethnic minority population and the amount of hate crime reported is small, but the force believes it is under-reported and hopes to encourage more victims to come forward.

The group will be launched with a social and networking event on Tuesday, at the force's headquarters at Aykley Heads, Durham, between 7pm and 9pm.

There will be talks from the criminal justice board, Durham's Black and Asian Police Association, the Crown Prosecution Service, the county's Racial Equality Council and the force's community safety branch.

For more information, call PC Watkins on 0845 60 60 365, extension 6612689.