2001 Bradford riots: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 11:01, 4 September 2007

The Bradford Riot was a short but intense period of rioting which took place on July 7, 2001, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It occurred as a result of heightened tension between ethnic minority communities and the city's white majority, stoked by confrontation between the Anti-Nazi League and far right groups such as the National Front.^[1]^[2] Similar race riots had occurred a few days earlier in other parts of northern England.

Background

Bradford is historically a working class, ethnically mixed city. Since its rapid growth in the 19th century, there have been several significant waves of immigration, notably Irish (19th century), Poles (1940s-50s) and South Asian people. At the time of the riot, Bradford had the second highest population of Asians of any UK city, with approximately 68,000 Pakistanis, 12,500 Indians and 5,000 Bangladeshis.^[3] However, the majority of people in the city are white (Ethnicity: 78.3% White, and 18.9% S.Asian).^[4]

Ethnic segregation has been exacerbated by the phenomenon of white flight. Over the course of a few decades, the white and Asian communities have become increasingly segregated, forming ghettoes within different areas of the city; for example, at the time of the riot, Toller was 64 percent South Asian^[5], Tong was 93 percent white^[6], and Wibsey was 91 percent white.^[7]

Flashpoint

On 22-24th June, there were riots in Burnley; two months previously, there were riots in Oldham. Tensions rose after the National Front attempted to organize a march in the city which was banned by Bradford Council. The Anti Nazi League organised a counter march which was allowed to proceed. During the course of the march, a rumour was spread by some of the marchers that National Front sympathizers were gathering at a pub in the center of Bradford. A confrontation then occurred outside the pub in the city centre during which an Asian man was stabbed. According to the appeal court, this incident almost certainly triggered the riot .^[8] Stockpiles of weapons including Molotov Cocktails were found at a house near to the city centre prior to the riot although there was no confirmation of this from the police. ^{[citation needed]}

Riots

The riot was estimated to have involved 1000 youths, mostly of Asian background. Initial estimates were of 500 police being involved, but later estimates increased this number to 1000. What began as a riot turned into a race-related disturbance, with Asian targeting businesses and cars, along with numerous attacks on shops and property. A notable point of the rioting was the firebombing of Manningham Labour Club, at the time a recreational centre. A 48 year old Asian man was jailed for twelve years for the arson attack.^[9] The Club reopened in the spring of 2006 on a different site, approximately one & a half miles away, on Bullroyd Lane, Four Lane Ends.

Between 60 and 100 south Asian youths smashed windows and threw molotov cocktails into the club, forcing the 28 occupants to flee upstairs until the attackers were dispersed by riot police. Exits were blocked by burning cars so the occupants could not flee the burning building, apparently an attempt to prevent escape. The most expensive act of the riot was the arson attack of a BMW dealership, which had previously been attacked in a 1995 disturbance. It was so badly damaged that it had to be demolished entirely. Several public houses were also attacked by Asian youths.

Several riots followed a few days later, when a hundred white youths attacked police in Ravenscliffe, and an Asian-owned Pizza restaurant, in Tong Street, was destroyed by a gang of white youths.^[10]

Aftermath

More than 300 people were injured including 120 police during the riot. 36 people were arrested on the day of the riot (13 white and 23 asian).^[11] Some weeks later the pictures of several hundred rioters were published in the local press and circulated in the local communities. Many of those pictured subsequently handed themselves in & made full confessions. Estimates of the damage caused were initially of £10 million which subsequently rose to £27 million. Several of the pubs attacked have not been re-opened. Sentences for the rioting were up to 6 years, reduced for confession. Some sentences were appealed and the court of appeal ruled most were not excessive, given the gravity of the rioting and the nature and scale of the destruction. It was described as 'unfortunate' that the background of the riot was stated not to be of interest to the court by the original judge. The government commissioned the Cantle report which made 67 recommendations. In 2006 channel 4 produced a TV fictional drama based loosely on the riots from the perspective of an asian family.

References

External links

[1] CNN:Far-right accused over UK riots

[2] CNN:Race riots not new to Britain

[3] City of Bradford#Demographics

[4] City of Bradford#Demographics

[5] Toller profile

[6] Tong profile

[7] Wibsey profile

[8] Red Hot Curry:Sentences Reduced for Bradford Rioters

[9] BBC:Businessman jailed over Bradford riots

[10] T&A:White youths take to streets in riots

[11] Peoples Daily:20 Police Injured in New British Race Riot

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ==Aftermath==
-More than 300 people were injured including 120 police during the riot. 36 people were arrested on the day of the riot (13 white and 23 asian).<ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/english/200107/08/eng20010708_74454.html Peoples Daily:80 Police Injured in New British Race Riot]</ref> Some weeks later the pictures of several hundred rioters were published in the local press and circulated in the local communities. Many of those pictured subsequently handed themselves in & made full [[confessions]]. Estimates of the damage caused were initially of £10 million which subsequently rose to £27 million. Several of the pubs attacked have not been re-opened. Sentences for the rioting were up to 6 years, reduced for confession. Some sentences were appealed and the court of appeal ruled most were not excessive, given the gravity of the rioting and the nature and scale of the destruction. It was described as 'unfortunate' that the background of the riot was stated not to be of interest to the court by the original judge. The government commissioned the Cantle report which made 67 recommendations. In 2006 [[channel 4]] produced a TV fictional drama based loosely on the riots from the perspective of an asian family.
+More than 300 people were injured including 120 police during the riot. 36 people were arrested on the day of the riot (13 white and 23 asian).<ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/english/200107/08/eng20010708_74454.html Peoples Daily:20 Police Injured in New British Race Riot]</ref> Some weeks later the pictures of several hundred rioters were published in the local press and circulated in the local communities. Many of those pictured subsequently handed themselves in & made full [[confessions]]. Estimates of the damage caused were initially of £10 million which subsequently rose to £27 million. Several of the pubs attacked have not been re-opened. Sentences for the rioting were up to 6 years, reduced for confession. Some sentences were appealed and the court of appeal ruled most were not excessive, given the gravity of the rioting and the nature and scale of the destruction. It was described as 'unfortunate' that the background of the riot was stated not to be of interest to the court by the original judge. The government commissioned the Cantle report which made 67 recommendations. In 2006 [[channel 4]] produced a TV fictional drama based loosely on the riots from the perspective of an asian family.
 ==See also==