More than 500 young people who were “at risk” of getting drawn into protests in Bradford city centre last month were instead diverted into “positive activities” on the day, it has been revealed.

A new report, to go before councillors next week, pinpoints the “targeted diversionary programme” carried out by Bradford Council’s Youth Service on October 12 – the day the far-right English Defence League demonstrated in Bradford, opposed by a counter-demo from Unite Against Fascism.

The report, to be discussed by the Council’s children’s services Scrutiny Committee tomorrow, said the fact that no teenagers were arrested on the day was a sign of success for the early intervention work carried out by the youth service.

The report says: “The service delivered a district-wide targeted diversionary programme of activities to prevent vulnerable and at-risk young people from getting drawn into protests in the city centre. The early identification and intervention strategy to work with those most vulnerable enabled a tailored response to individuals. In total, 558 young people were diverted into positive activities on the day.

“In the week running up to October 12, approximately 890 young people were supported through work in youth settings about consequences, through home visits and project-based activity in local areas and out of the district for those identified as being most at risk. The reports of no arrests of young people aged within the service’s 13 to 19 age range on the day indicates the successes of this approach.”

Following the visit of the EDL, police chiefs and community leaders praised the people of Bradford after the protest passed off without incident. A major policing operation, involving more than 1,000 officers from across the country, ensured that the demonstration by about 600 EDL supporters was peaceful.

A grey and drizzly day helped to put a dampener on the protest, and a small counter-demonstration in the Urban Garden, with city centre businesses open as normal and shoppers refusing to be deterred.

A total of 11 arrests were made at the two demonstrations for public order offences.