A FORMER police community support officer in Burnley claims he was victimised by the county’s force bosses because they failed to acknowledge his Asian ‘culture and heritage’.

Zahid Ahmed alleges when he asked one of his bosses, Supt Sarah Oldham, for support, he was told his problems were ‘not a cultural issue’.

Mr Ahmed, 32, of Blackburn, has taken Lancashire Police to an employment tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal and being racially discriminated against.

Mr Ahmed said he was the subject of three complaints, from within the organisation, which were each dismissed by the force professional standards department.

He claimed while undertaking his job in the Daneshouse and Stoneyholme areas of Burnley, and while the complaints against him were ongoing, the constabulary failed to properly support him.

Mr Ahmed said: “This came to my attention when I asked for support in my division from my superintendent (Sarah Oldham) and I was basically told that this was not a cultural issue. This was in 2007.”

He told the hearing that he had challenged his treatment at a meeting attended by Supt Oldham, his union representative and other staff. Mr Ahmed said that after this he felt he was victimised.

Later Mr Ahmed said he moved to the force's Eastern division to 'make a fresh start, and became a community engagement officer as part of the Prevent anti-terrorism unit.

He told the tribunal that, because of the complaints, he began work there months after his other colleagues and was not given sufficient training. Mr Ahmed said he was also upset that he had not been issued with business cards or a mobile phone for his role.

The hearing was also told that, in September 2009, Mr Ahmed's application to become a regular police officer was turned down.

Mr Ahmed has also alleged that he approached the Lancashire Black Police Association for support but was told that his case was not a priority.

Police chiefs say that Mr Ahmed was dismissed following a misconduct hearing, on separate matters, last year.

Today Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Walker, who conducted the misconduct hearing for Mr Ahmed, is due to give evidence at the Manchester tribunal.

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