A St George’s Day parade through an inner-city area hit by race riots has been cancelled following police advice.
Community groups had planned to stage the multi-cultural event in Bradford and 1,500 schoolchildren were due to take part.
Many of the youngsters had already made flags of St George to carry on the parade on April 23, which was designed to boost community cohesion.
But last week police and council chiefs told the organisers that the event could not go ahead as planned for ‘health and safety’ reasons. At a meeting, police demanded a shorter route which avoided two streets at the centre of the race riots in 2001.
As a result, organisers have decided to call off the event, which was due to attract more than 10,000 people.
“The police and council just kept telling us that the reason for their objection was ‘health and safety’. They proposed another route which was ridiculously short. The march would have been over before it began.
“Unfortunately, there’s a fear that someone may have used it to cause violence.
“The day seems to have been taken away from us because of fears of thugs. “The council and police say something could go ahead on July 1, but it won’t be a St George’s Day celebration.’
The Bradford riots in July, 2001, were sparked by the stabbing of a local Asian youth by National Front supporters. They ended with more than 300 police injured and 297 people arrested.
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Community groups had planned to stage the multi-cultural event in Bradford and 1,500 schoolchildren were due to take part.
Many of the youngsters had already made flags of St George to carry on the parade on April 23, which was designed to boost community cohesion.
But last week police and council chiefs told the organisers that the event could not go ahead as planned for ‘health and safety’ reasons. At a meeting, police demanded a shorter route which avoided two streets at the centre of the race riots in 2001.
As a result, organisers have decided to call off the event, which was due to attract more than 10,000 people.
“The police and council just kept telling us that the reason for their objection was ‘health and safety’. They proposed another route which was ridiculously short. The march would have been over before it began.
“Unfortunately, there’s a fear that someone may have used it to cause violence.
“The day seems to have been taken away from us because of fears of thugs. “The council and police say something could go ahead on July 1, but it won’t be a St George’s Day celebration.’
The Bradford riots in July, 2001, were sparked by the stabbing of a local Asian youth by National Front supporters. They ended with more than 300 police injured and 297 people arrested.
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