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Bradford police arrest 15 white rioters

Shyam Bhatia
India Abroad Correspondent in London

The Bradford police have arrested a gang of 15 white youths following a third night of violence in which officers were pelted with bricks and stones.

Two Pakistani restaurants were also targeted by the stone-throwing youths determined to keep stoking Britain's worst racial disturbances in 20 years.

At the height of the troubles last weekend, some 120 police officers were injured in clashes with more than 1,000 Asian and white youths.

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire police said on Monday night, "Those involved were mostly white males engaged in provoking police. Bricks and stones were thrown at officers and there was minor damage to property, including two restaurants, where windows were broken.

"The police presence helped to restore normality in the area. Officers were deployed quickly and effectively to disperse the crowd and make arrests.

"The police actions last night provide a clear warning to people that if you act with violence on the streets then you risk arrest and prosecution," he said.

The latest bout of racially motivated violence comes on the eve of a report that warns of de facto segregation in the city's schools and neighbourhoods.

The author of the report, Lord Herman Ouseley, a former head of the Commission for Racial Equality, is critical of the lack of racial tolerance and the failure of racial integration.

The report, commissioned by the city council and leaked to the British media, 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."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Blair has condemned the "thuggery" of rioters who ended up "destroying their own community".

Home Secretary David Blunkett, who is considering extra powers for police caught up in future communal disturbances, has declared that it is up to the people of Bradford to find solutions to the violence.

EARLIER REPORT:
Racists target businesses in Bradford suburb

The UK Race Riots: The complete coverage

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