Concerns have been expressed in reports and letters in the Telegraph & Argus about the fact no-one has been prosecuted following investigations into the Bonfire Night disturbances in Bradford last year. We invited Chief Superintendent Simon Willsher, Divisional Commander of Odsal Police, to respond to the criticisms
I REFER TO the recent concerns expressed in the T&A over the Bonfire Night disturbances in Bradford last November. I write in order to set the record straight about the level of police involvement and the strenuous efforts we have made to bring people to justice.
Your editorial was balanced and accurate in all bar one respect. The behaviour of a small minority of hooligans on the night was premeditated and lawless. Although few offences were committed overall, some of the violence was appalling and completely unacceptable.
To put it mildly, we are as disappointed as anyone that there is insufficient evidence to prefer charges.
I would repeat, however, that this is not due to lack of effort or "political sensitivity" on our part. A great deal of time has been invested in our communities by local officers. The episode in Manchester Road on the night was broken up by police officers in full protective equipment.
Dozens of extra officers, plus dog teams, evidence gatherers and the Force helicopter were all deployed. Various tactics were employed to arrest those who saw fit to bring violence to our streets; unfortunately, the "hit and run" approach of those involved, plus the labyrinthine nature of the streets, enabled the offenders to escape. Several of my own staff came under attack, including some subject to petrol bombing. One remains off sick with an injury which will require surgery. So much for "apathy and complacency." (Letters, February 9)
A dedicated post-incident investigation team was immediately set up to hunt down those responsible. Nine arrests were made, all from the local community. The reality confronting the team was of offenders wearing masks and few witnesses besides those officers who risked injury in trying to arrest possible offenders and secure evidence. There was, in fact, no CCTV coverage of the disorder. The only camera footage available was, alas, of limited quality. Some members of the community undoubtedly know who was involved but have thus far not come forward. It is still not too late for them to do so.
It is also worth noting that in the debriefing conducted shortly afterwards, the Police received fulsome praise from both community intervenors and the Fire Brigade. The comments attributed to Councillors Green and Kahn in your newspaper are a public acknowledgement that those actually living in the affected area were satisfied with our response on the night.
This does not mean that we can be complacent about the future. Detailed planning and preparation is ongoing not just for Bonfire Night, but for the myriad of other events that confront us during the year. We will also continue our local policy of more beat officers on the streets to build relationships with our diverse communities. I want to assure your readers of one thing: Bradford is policed without fear or favour. Our record stands comparison with any urban force in the country, as the recent Government figures have illustrated. No-one is above the law and those who seek to give the city a bad name on the pretext of "celebration" will find no refuge in Bradford, either now or in the future.
SP Willsher,
Chief Superintendent,
Divisional Commander
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