Bradford

We’ve been here almost six months now and I’ve decided that it’s about time to take a better look at what we’ve gotten ourselves into. Most of you, dear readers, will know that I (Brent) work in Bradford. After a little digging, I’ve discovered the most interesting thing to have ever happened in Bradford was the Bradford Riot.

Background

The City of Bradford is generally a working class, ethnically mixed area of England. Since its rapid growth in the 19th Century there have been a series of influxes of immigrants. Notably Irish, Poles and people from South Asia. At the time of the riot, Bradford had the second highest population of Asians in the United Kingdom, approximately 68,000 Pakistani, 12,500 Indian and 5,000 Bangladeshi, although the vast majority of people in the district are white (Ethnicity: 78.3% White, and 18.9% S.Asian)

Ethnic segregation had been unintentionally exacerbated by the phenomenon of “white flight”. Both the White & Asian communities chose over the course of a few decades to preferentially live in areas with others from the same background to the extent that Manningham and Toller were 60% and 64% South Asian, respectively, while Tong and Wibsey were 93% and 91% White, respectively.

Part of the culture clash between the Muslim and white communities was, allegedly, the differing attitudes towards alcohol. While drinking was widely seen as fully acceptable by the white community with perhaps binge drinking and alcoholism being frowned upon, Muslim culture forbids any form of intoxication.

I Predict a Riot

Prior to the riot there were riots in Burnley a fortnight earlier and Oldham two months previously. The tensions rose after the National Front attempted to organise a march in Bradford. This 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 sympathisers 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 as 'the Asian community was understandably concerned to defend itself against right-wing groups'.

Burn Baby Burn

The riot was estimated to have involved 1,000 youths mostly of Pakistani muslim background. Initial estimates were of 500 police being involved but later estimates increased this number to 1,000. What began as a riot then turned into a race-related disturbance. Asian Muslim males targeted businesses and cars and there were numerous attacks on shops and property. A notable point of the rioting was the firebombing of Manningham Labour Club, which at the time was a recreational centre, essentially used by the white minority in the Manningham area. A 48 year old Pakistani Muslim man was jailed for twelve years for the arson attack, he was found to be reckless with other peoples lives but not guilty of having intentionally endangered lives.

A mob numbering between 60 and 100 South Asian youths smashed windows and threw molotov cocktails into the members club, forcing the 28 occupants to flee upstairs until the gang was dispersed by riot police. Exits were blocked by burning cars so the occupants could not flee the burning building. Several public houses were also attacked by muslim youths.

Several revenge riots followed a few days later, with a hundred white youths attacking police in Ravenscliffe, and an Asian-owned Pizza restaurant, in Tong Street, destroyed by a gang of white youths.

Aftermath

More than 300 people were injured during the riot including 120 police. Thirty-six people were arrested on the day of the riot (13 white and 23 asian). 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 and made full confessions. Estimates of the damage caused were initially £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 that some but not all were excessive. 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.

Question

When, do you suppose the riot took place? The Depression – you know – lining up for soup or something? The post-war years? The sixties? Blame Thatcher? No, no, no.

Answer

July 7, 2001.