Success for Asian festival

Bradford Festival Mela celebrates multi-cultural Britain

The start of one of Europe's largest Asian festivals passed off successfully without any signs of racial tension affecting some parts of the north west.

The Mela in Bradford lived up to its billing as a multi-cultural musical family day out, much to the relief of organisers and police.

Police officers, highly visible in fluorescent jackets, chatted with the many festivalgoers without dampening the carnival atmosphere.

There doesn't seem to be any indication that the Mela has been used for a focal point for a confrontation

West Yorkshire Police

The festival had been expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors to Bradford.

Part of the two-week Bradford Festival, the Mela has grown in popularity since it was first staged 14 years ago.

This year it is expected to form part of Bradford's bid to become the European City of Culture.

A West Yorkshire police spokesman said: "It has been a good day, there has been one or two incidents but nothing major has happened.

"Any right-thinking police force with ethnic minority communities in their area would monitor situations such as this, especially after the Oldham incidents and Burnley.

Focal point

"They would always be cautious that it would happen in their own area but as far as we are concerned there is no indication that we are expecting any trouble or confrontation at this festival.

"There doesn't seem to be any indication that the Mela has been used for a focal point for a confrontation."

Award-winning Asian Bhangra group Anakhi and Europe's first Indian-style brass band opened the festival at Peel Park.

British Asian performers shared the stage with musicians and dancers from throughout the world.