BRADFORD West MP Naz Shah is appealing for calm after riot police tackled a mob of about 100 angry demonstrators blocking busy Bradford roads.

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A group protesting about the shooting of Mohammed Yassar Yaqub, 28, on the M62, junction 24 for Ainley Top, sparked a protest which began in Leeds Road at around 6.30pm yesterday but spread down to the Shipley Airedale Road. Traffic was brought to a standstill as police tried to move on the protestors, many wearing scarves to hide their identity, shouting abuse at police and waving home-made banners.

A few missiles were launched at police vehicles which had blocked the roads around Leeds Road. As the protest moved further towards the centre of town, police in riot gear and shields arrived and observed what was going on from the central reservation. The police helicopter was also mobilised.

This morning Ms Shah put out a Facebook statement appealing for calm in her constituency saying had received reassurance that police would continue talking and listening to communities with real concern.

"I recognise that tensions are running high within communities. The local police also understand the heightened tension that the events over the past 24 hours have caused within our communities and the need to provide reassurance.

"I understand that West Yorkshire Police are working fully with the IPCC’s independent investigation into the circumstances of the shooting and there is due process to follow which may mean certain information cannot be provided in the way that communities feel they need. The IPCC have a responsibility for overseeing a transparent investigation, however, the responsibility for maintaining strong relationships with our wider communities rests with the Police. It is sometimes difficult to do both in ways which reassures the family affected by the actions of the Police and the concerns of the wider community."

She added: "I have been assured that West Yorkshire Police continue to be committed in facilitating peaceful protest and will continue talking and listening to communities with real concerns."

Ms Shah said the vast majority of those who attended last night's protest were peaceful in their actions.

"We must allow The IPCC investigation to take place which will take its due course, this will require our patience and support. My heartfelt thanks to those who were involved in supporting the peaceful protest earlier and helped restore calm.

"Finally I urge the leadership of our community to work in partnership with the elected members and most importantly the agencies concerned to ensure that lessons are learnt from this tragic incident. I urge our community to remain calm and respect the wishes of the family who have lost their loved one and have appealed for calm and privacy during this very difficult time."

Bradford Council's portfolio holder for community safety, Cllr Abdul Jabar said: "We are working with partners and the community to provide re assurance and to ask for a calm and measured response."

A spokesman for the police said there was minimal disorder at the incident which quickly de-escalated after dialogue with officers at the scene and there was no necessity to make any arrests.

Before last night's protest Nadeem Murtuja, Chairman of JUST, an organsiation promoting racial justice, human rights and equality said: "There is a great deal of disquiet in the community about the death of Mr Yaqub and it is crucial that both his family and the Huddersfield community are kept informed about the conduct of the investigation and the events that led to the fatal shooting."

A statement from the IPCC yesterday said: "What appears to be a non-police issue firearm was discovered in the vehicle in which Mr Yaqub was travelling, and is being further examined. Mr Yaqub’s family has been informed and will be kept updated by an IPCC family liaison manager."

A post mortem is due to take place today.

IPCC investigators are continuing to seek any relevant CCTV footage. Initial accounts from police officers involved have been obtained.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said: “My thoughts are with Mr Yaqub’s family and all those affected at this difficult time. Though in its early stages, this investigation is making good progress but will be complex. We will be working hard to establish exactly what happened and would ask for patience while our investigation continues.”

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