DORSET police are asking Bournemouth council to consider banning racist and homophobic entertainers from performing in the town.

It is suggested a strong line be taken on acts which promote hatred or intolerance of other persons or groups.

Inspector Neil MacBean referred to a situation in 2006, when the police convinced the council to cancel Jamaican reggae star Beenie Man. The Jamaican's lyrics allegedly call for gays and lesbians to be killed.

Insp MacBean said: "We had concerns in the past with a visit from 50 Cent but while some of his lyrics were pretty unpalatable, they were not racist or homophobic.

"We are not talking about acts like that, we are talking about particular acts, which could upset our communities.

"We need to be seen to be supporting all our communities, regardless of cultural background. We're talking about racial communities, gay communities, faith communities.

"We need to have some kind of policy statement which says This is the standard by which we abide. We don't want anything to upset our communities in Bournemouth.' "This is not censorship, it's protecting our communities. I cannot stress that enough."

Bournemouth council has suggested it responds to Dorset Police's concerns by adopting the stance that Brighton and Hove council has taken.

This states that licensed premises will be closely monitored, with particular attention paid to premises where there is evidence of criminal activity or any association with racist or homophobic crime.

Councillors will discuss the town's draft statement of licensing policy tomorrow (March 18).