FOR Dunfermline Athletic chairman John Yorkston, the goal is simple: "We want to make our club a place for families to come."

His stewards - and fellow fans - have been working hand-in-hand with Fife Police in Operation Challenge, a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime.

Two Dunfermline fans have been arrested so far for alleged racially aggravated breach of the peace, with three Rangers fans and a Hearts supporter charged with religiously prejudiced breaches.

However, Detective Inspector David McLaren insists the Fife force are doing "nothing out of the ordinary" in tackling th political hot potato.

He said: "We haven't allocated additional resources to tackling the threat of hate crime at Dunfermline Athletic.

"But we've adopted a strategy whereby plain-clothes officers mingle with home and away fans. The whole operation is intelligence led - we work closely with the club and the fans to identify potential troublemakers.

"The plain-clothes officers notify uniformed police and arrests are then made.

"We're careful not to inflame any situation and we will wait until half-time before arresting the suspect or wait until they have gone to the toilet.

"There was a mixed response from Dunfermline fans at first as they thought we were targeting them but they realise that's not the case and the majority of fans are very supportive."

He added: "We have started fans forums to discuss the issue with the supporters and we plan to hold three a year.

"The fans are saying hate crime is an issue which they find appalling and we need to address it.

"We adopt a zero-tolerance approach but it's up to the courts to hand down the punishments. There have been problems in the past with stewards and fans in relation to people wanting to stand up at the games but we're looking to resolve that.

"Our stewards are briefed before the game so they know what to look for and clamp down on.

"But everything gets handed over to the police for arrests to be made."

Both sets of players at the Dunfermline v Hearts match ran out waving Show Racism The Red Card placards.

But within the first five minutes of the game, police were alerted to an alleged incident involving racist abuse being aimed at Hearts player Rudi Skacel.

Yorkston said: "Show Racism the Red card has to be more than a 30-second gesture.

"The vast majority of football fans realise there is no place for that kind of behaviour.

"The reaction has been mixed - some supporters think we are doing the right thing and some think we've been heavy handed. We try to take a balanced view on it and do what's right.

"We want to portray ourselves as a family club, one that you'd be pleased to bring your family to.

"By cutting out some of the abuse that is shouted, we feel we are making the right move towards making our club a nice place to bring the kids.

"Overall, we've got the backing of the vast majority of the fans - football does not give people a licence to do what they want."

Yorkston said he believed alcohol could once again be sold at Scottish grounds given the right circumstances after it was banned following an Old Firm riot at the 1980 Scottish Cup Final.

He also had a view on the issue of fans standing at games which has seen Dunfermline fans clash with their own stewards in the past.

He said: "A lot of things have been introduced at football after the drinking at the Celtic v Rangers Scottish Cup Final in 1980.

"I don't see any problem with us selling beer and providing drinks in plastic cups sold at the concourse underneath the stand - although I'm not condoning drunkenness.

"You can do it at rugby matches and, if people are of a mind to go to the pub before a match, they end up throwing drinks down them then rush to their seats.

"It would be more sociable if they could have a drink at the game.

"If we were playing one of our derby games then you wouldn't allow alcohol but the only trouble you'd get at us playing St Johnstone would be if the fans rustle their sweetie papers too hard."

He added: "The seating issue has been brought in since Hillsborough.

"We had just over 2000 home fans on Saturday and you don't want to be putting too many restrictions in their way.

"If some of them wanted to stand and the law would allow it, then we would look at that.

"I was brought up on the terracing and all our directors spent time on the terracing, standing watching football games.

"But at the moment, there's no point in looking at it as the rules are what they are."

Bill Butler, campaign manager for Show Racism the Red Card in Scotland, applauded Dunfermline FC and the police.

He said: "I would like to congratulate Operation Challenge police officers for the good work they are doing in detaining those who shout racist abuse at football matches.

"I commend the work of Dunfermline Athletic FC and police in doing something practical to send out a clear message that hatred based on colour or creed is not acceptable."