Police in Britain have been urged to draw up plans to prevent racial tension and violence against asylum seekers.

A report by the Association of Chief Police Officers said there could be significant public disorder unless action is taken against racial abuse of asylum seekers.

But it also warned of possible violence between different refugee groups.

With the government and the opposition at odds over the handling of asylum seekers, and a general election possible in the coming months, correspondents say the issue is likely to figure prominently in the political debate.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service