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Some of those commended for their actions in the Bradford riots line up outside Bradford Crown Court

Bradford's most senior judge has commended police officers, fire and ambulance workers and members of the public for their actions on the night of the Bradford riots almost eight years ago.

The Honorary Recorder of Bradford Stephen Gullick also paid tribute yesterday to those involved in Operation Wheel - the painstaking police inquiry which led to 186 people being convicted of riot.

During the mob violence on July 7, 2001, more than 300 police officers were injured and an estimated £7.5 million of damage was caused.

Sentences ranging from three months to 12 years have been handed out by Judge Gullick and his colleague Judge Roger Scott to defendants most of whom were identified via a high-profile poster campaign and hours of video footage.

The longest sentence was given to Mohammed Ilyas Khan, of Prospect Road, Wapping, Bradford, who was jailed for 12 years in July 2003 after he was found guilty of recklessly endangering the lives of 23 people when he started a terrifying blaze at the Manningham Ward Labour Club in Whetley Lane.

Yesterday fire and ambulance staff who helped evacuate the premises and treat those who had been trapped inside were among those who attended a special gathering at Bradford Crown Court.

Judge Gullick said: "Today permits us to place on record publicly the thanks of the courts for all the work that was done both on the night and subsequently by a whole host of people. I have already on many occasions placed on record the fact that police officers from many neighbouring forces were deployed in Bradford that night.

"Nine forces in all were involved and over one thousand officers attended - 326 were injured. Those who viewed the footage of events as they unfolded cannot but have been struck by the professionalism of those who occupied the front line."

During yesterday's gathering a video compilation of the violent clashes was shown and Judge Gullick went on to praise the efforts of not only those who tried to stop what happened on the night but also the groups which had helped offenders to re-integrate into society after serving their sentences.

"Politicians, churchmen and community leaders tried their very best to intervene and some individuals bravely stood and tried to stop what was happening,'' noted the judge.

"Zahid Iqbal, who was a parliamentary candidate and is here today, used a megaphone in a vain attempt to calm the mob down. Tariq Mahmood, who is also here, offered safe haven to a number of aged residents in the White Abbey Road area.

"The Reverend Bob Hill and Canon George Moffatt used their best endeavours to try to instil calm. They and other church and community leaders joined hands across the road to try to stop the activities of the mob."

Detective Chief Supt Max Mclean, who was the senior investigating officer at the time of riots, said: "These awards recognise the bravery and dedication of all those involved - police officers, police staff, ambulance workers, the fire brigade, Crown Prosecution Service and members of the public. "

Just before Christmas the last Bradford rioter Mohammed Ayub Sheikh, 33, formerly of Cambridge Street, Great Horton, was jailed. He was the 186th person to be sentenced for riot. In all, 200 people were sentenced to a total of just over 600 years.

11:39pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

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