Race riots in northern England last summer were caused by polarisation between the white majority and Asian and black minorities that may spark more unrest, a British government report claimed today.
Hundreds were arrested, many were hurt and millions of pounds worth of damage was done in the riots in Oldham, Bradford and Burnley, which were partly fuelled by extremists.
The report, by Mr Ted Cantle, the chairman of the Community Cohesion Review Team, said segregation and a lack of contact between races "fuels fear and suspicion that is easily exploited by extremists".
"The team was particularly struck by the depth of polarisation in our towns and cities," it said.
The report will further inflame a political row sparked when the Home Secretary Mr David Blunkett urged ethnic minorities to learn English, scrap traditions such as enforced marriages and embrace a "sense of belonging".
Mr Blunkett has also pledged to push through legislation next year requiring those seeking British citizenship to learn English.
Ethnic minorities comprise about 5 per cent of Britain's population of nearly 60 million.