Bradford takes stock of violence

Racial taunts incited violence according to reports

After a weekend of rioting in Bradford, community leaders, police and politicians have turned their attention to the reasons behind the violence and how to prevent any recurrence.

At a meeting held in the city on Monday, we've been told there was a frank and heated exchange of views over the root causes of the rioting, as well as criticism of the way the police handled the unrest.

Today those responsible for some of the violence appeared in court. Seven people, six of them local, have been remanded in custody, charged with a range of offences which include violent disorder, looting, and carrying offensive weapons.

Disaffected?

Clearing away the burnt out cars and boarding up damaged buildings is the simple bit; the big challenge in Bradford is not only to restore lasting calm but also to address the causes of the rioting which left scores of police officers injured and nearly forty arrested.

Disaffected Muslim youths have been involved in the rioting, perhaps because, say their community leaders, they feel let down by society.

Were these grievances responsible for the violence?

We asked to Judith Donovan, the president of the Chamber of Commerce in Bradford, and Rashid Awan, President of the Pakistani Society of West Yorkshire and the Chair of Bradford Asian Business Association.

Click on the audio links above left to hear their views.