Detailed plans were drawn up by Bradford Council to hold a massive Millennium party in Centenary Square, Bradford, it was revealed today.

Entertainers were provisionally booked and it was proposed to have video-links to other cities during the celebration which was expected to attract thousands of revellers.

But the plans were axed after West Yorkshire Police advised against it on the grounds of public safety.

Today, the police decision came under renewed fire from the chairman of Bradford Council's Community Safety Sub Committee, Councillor John Ruding, who is also a member of the district's Crime and Disorder Partnership.

"I think the police made a mistake and it is a big disappointment," he said,

Councillor Ruding said the city's £1.6 million Centenary Square had been purpose-built for big celebrations.

"We are the only Council with this facility. But I wonder now what the future is if the police don't even want this," he said.

"I actually think it could make things worse because people are going to come out of the city centre from the pubs with no supervised event and nothing to do. They are going to be wandering round."

Today West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable Steve Smith said they stuck to their decision because public safety was paramount.

But Coun Ruding said the Council's plans for the big free party were well advanced and safety had also been their priority.

"Our most serious concern was about getting people home and we had made inquiries and were in talks with bus services.

He said doctors and nurses would have manned a medical unit to be set up in Norfolk Gardens and the Council planned to bring in stewards.

"We had provisionally booked entertainers and wanted a video link with the other cities. We have a wonderful facility in Centenary Square and we wanted this to be a real people's party to bring in the new century.

"The police decision was taken at the highest level in Wakefield and it's a slap in the face for us. It puts Bradford down at the level of a small country town - they're even having a Millennium party in Brighton."

But Mr Smith said: "Public safety is paramount. I don't make any apology for our stance."

He said the usual incidents on New Year's Eve would be "multiplied by the X-factor of the Millennium.

"We saw grave dangers in that type of event and we had to take the whole of West Yorkshire into account."

Leeds, Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees Councils have also decided not to hold town and city centre Millennium parties on police advice.

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