FOUR people have been charged after Saturday's anti-lockdown protest in Bradford, West Yorkshire Police has confirmed today.

Four men, aged between 35 and 45, were charged with offences relating to the breach of Covid-19 restrictions:

  • A 35-year-old man from Keighley has been charged with holding a gathering of more than 30 persons in a public, outdoor area in a Tier 4 area.
  • A 41-year-old man from Wetherby has been charged with participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public, outdoor area in a Tier 4 area.
  • A 45-year-old man from Bradford has been charged with participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public, outdoor area in a Tier 4 area.
  • A-39-year-old man from Bradford has been charged with participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public, outdoor area in a Tier 4 area.

They will all appear at Bradford Magistrates' Court on 11 June, police said.

There were a number of arrests made at the rally on Saturday, as protestors clashed with police, while nine officers were injured.

Of the other people arrested at the demonstration:

  • A man arrested on suspicion of a public order offence has been released under investigation.
  • A woman arrested on suspicion of affray and assault on emergency worker has been released under investigation.
  • A man arrested on suspicion of assault on an emergency worker has been released under investigation.
  • A man arrested on suspicion of affray and assault on an emergency worker will receive no further action.
  • A man arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker has been given a conditional caution.
  • A man and woman were given fixed penalty notices for participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public, outdoor place.
  • A man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder has been bailed pending further enquiries.
  • A man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker has been bailed pending further enquiries.
  • A man arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and obstructing a PC has been bailed pending further enquiries.
  • A man who was arrested for assaulting an emergency worker has been bailed pending further enquiries.
  • Three people arrested for failing to provide details were issued with Covid fines.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Farrell, of Bradford District Police, said: “Our investigation doesn’t end with what happened on Saturday – as a senior investigating officer, I am leading an investigation and reviewing the evidence obtained during the demonstration.

“On the day a number of people were arrested, and police officers were injured as they helped to keep the people of Bradford safe. Thankfully, none of those officers were seriously injured.

“It is important to remember that we remain in the middle of a deadly pandemic, and although some of the national restrictions have been relaxed today, public safety is, and always will be, our top priority.”