Asian people are no longer being singled out in the application of stop and search anti-terror laws, accoring to the Met police chief.

During a visit to the London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel Road, commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said Asians are no longer being disproportionately hit by the controversial laws, introduced after the 9/11 attacks and the London bombings.

He said: “Stop and search has been a real challenge for the Met throughout London, so if you’re from a black or ethnic minority community you’re more likely to be stopped by the police.

“We’re really proud of the fact that this year for people from the Asian background it’s parity: so you’re no longer more likely to be stopped and searched if you’re a member of the Asian communities than if you are white”, he added.

Police had come in for criticism after statistics showed more Asians were being disproportionately targeted under the laws.

Mr Hogan-Howe was visiting the complex last weekend as part of an ongoing discussion with London’s faith communities.

He was joined by director of the Mosque Dilowar Khan, who warned that the recommendations of the ongoing review into stop and search laws must be “taken on board and implemented thoroughly”.

He also called for greater ethnic diversity within the police force.

“We need to encourage our young people to think about a career within the Met”, he said. “The Met, too, needs to actively recruit from BME (black and ethnic minority) communities and make it easier for members of our community to join.”