Bradford police deny 'no-go' areas

'Police offer a fair service to all', says police authority chief

A police watchdog has denied that there are "no-go" areas for officers in riot-torn Bradford.

Neil Taggart, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Authority, defended the police after revelations that a report by Lord Herman Ouseley criticises racial intolerance in the city.

The report, due out later this week, is expected to highlight concerns from Bradford residents that there is a fear of confronting local gang culture and an illegal drugs trade.

The ethos of West Yorkshire police is to give a fair service to all communities

Neil Taggart
West Yorkshire Police Authority

But Mr Taggart rejected suggestions that Bradford police officers "favoured" certain areas over others or that things were "going backwards" in the city.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't believe the police are too soft or even too hard."

His vigorous defence of policing tactics follows a third night of violence in Bradford, although on a smaller scale than the rioting of last weekend.

Fifteen men were arrested after outbreaks across the city during Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Riot police confronted gangs of white and Asian youths in different parts of the city.

'Grip of fear'

BBC correspondent Barnie Choudhury said the violent incidents were not "classic" race riots such as those in Oldham and Burnley - more socially deprived youths wanting a "bit of fun".

"It seems police are being stretched and tested to see what resources are available to them," he said.

"Some residents are suggesting the youths are just simply trying it on".

Lord Ouseley: Wants better-integrated schools

Lord Ouseley's report, due for publication on Thursday, was written well before the current wave of violence in the city - said to be some of the worst in the UK for 20 years.

In the report, seen by the BBC, he warns that Bradford's leaders have been too scared to properly address the city's race problems.

The report warns: "The city finds itself in a grip of fear. There is a fear of people talking openly and honestly because of possible repercussions, recriminations and victimisation.

"There is the fear of confronting the gangs culture, the illegal drugs trade and the growing racial intolerance, harassment and abuse that exists.

"There is a fear of confronting all-white and all-Muslims schools about their contribution or rather the lack of contribution to social and racial integration and segregation in schools."

There is a fear of confronting all-white and all-Muslims schools about... social and racial integration and segregation in schools

Lord Ouseley

But the city council's David Ward told the BBC that only a small number of criminals were "damaging the image of Bradford" with their yobbish behaviour.

He cited the example of Bradford's annual cultural festival the Mela, held earlier this months, as an example of the kind of racial harmony that is "the real side" of the city.

The report, commissioned by the city council and other large organisations within Bradford, calls for better leadership and improved partnerships as the way forward.

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, will make a statement to the House of Commons about Bradford on Tuesday.