POLICE have said a large-scale disturbance in Bradford city centre last year was "fully investigated" - and revealed action was taken against 12 young people.

Officers attended Market Street shortly before 4.30pm on September 26, 2023, after they received reports of a group of males in balaclavas "acting suspiciously".

A short time later, it was reported that a knife had been seen - with fighting taking place at the back of the city's magistrates' court building.

At the time, West Yorkshire Police said armed officers were sent to the scene and a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife in a public place.

A knife was also seized at the scene by officers.

A number of young people were subsequently arrested on suspicion of various different offences, including possession of a knife in a public place, assaulting an emergency worker, violent disorder, criminal damage and assault.

Nearly a year on since the incident, the Telegraph & Argus asked West Yorkshire Police for an update on the investigation. 

A force spokesperson said: "This public order incident on Market Street on September 26, 2023, was fully investigated.

"One juvenile admitted in court a charge of possession of an offensive weapon. They were given a youth rehabilitation order, a four-month curfew and ordered to pay court costs.

"Another juvenile admitted in court to possession of an offensive weapon. They were given a collection order, a referral order and ordered to pay court costs.

"A third juvenile admitted a public order offence and was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs.

"Nine other juveniles were dealt with for public order offences using out of court disposals."

Police patrols were stepped up in the city centre following the incident - which caused concern among many people.

At the time, the T&A reported business owners' fears that the disturbance could deter people from shopping in Bradford city centre.

As the incident unfolded, some elderly people took refuge at The In Plaice, with staff at the fish and chip restaurant locking the door to help calm their nerves.

One member of staff there said: "It was just shocking.

"People are not going to want to come to town."

Another shopkeeper said he had never witnessed anything on that scale before.