'You young fools'

The rampaging youths were roundly criticised by the city's Asian community leaders and local politicians who appealed for calm.

Trouble flared in two waves last night as police came under attack from youths hurling fireworks and rockets near Toller Lane police station in Manningham. Police said youths had ignored requests from community leaders to disperse.

Police reported they had found petrol bombs after searching the area but later retracted this statement.

Violence erupted at 8.30pm when youths torched a phone box in Heaton Road after hurling a gas cylinder which failed to ignite.

Ten minutes later the mob torched a two-storey bargain shop and disused car lot in Garfield Avenue.

Fire also broke out at nearby Lister's Mill caused by what police believe was a stray firework.

At this point the rampaging youths were about 50 to 60 strong. Police dispersed the mob and by 10.30pm officers in riot gear had shut Lilycroft Road and Oak Lane.

Three cars were torched in Drummond Road and North Park Road during the disturbance

Teams of riot police were called in and fire engines at the scene were told to withdraw. Officers from other West Yorkshire divisions were drafted in to deal with the trouble.

Oak Lane and Heaton Road were sealed off and a police helicopter circled the area.

The second wave of violence erupted at 1am when a mob of about 80 youths started hurling fireworks and rockets.

A barrage of missiles aimed at officers and the police station continued until officers in riot gear moved in to disperse the crowd.

There were no reports of injuries and no arrests were made.

Amria Khatun, chairman of the Young People's Forum, who had earlier in the week called for local youths to join in specially arranged family bonfires, said: "A few people spoilt it for everyone else."

She said she was saddened by the trouble which wrecked the reputation of people working to create good community relations in the area.

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh said: "We condemn the young people who were engaged in this.

"They need to think about the bad image they bring to Manningham. Businesses and the community are just recovering from last time.

"But this incident is typical of what can happen anywhere. We need to look at this with cool heads and put it in perspective."

Labour Ward Councillor Sajawal Hussain said the trouble was unexpected because Wednesday night had been peaceful.

Coun Hussain, who toured the area with police during the night said: "All of a sudden trouble started at 8.30pm when youths threw canisters into a telephone box at Heaton Road. It was very irresponsible. It was near houses."

Coun Hussain said the trouble appeared to have died down but ten minutes later there was a fire in a disused garage at Garfield Avenue. "There were 50 to 60 youths. Police were worried."

Coun Hussain said the crowd later dispersed but private cars were stoned.

He said by 10.30pm police were standing by in riot gear and had shut Lilycroft Road and Oak Lane on the Manningham side.

"It was right for the police to be in riot gear because they had to act on information they received. I completely condone what the police did."

Toller Lane police Divisional Commander Superintendent John Crosse said bonfire night had largely past off peacefully. "However a small minority who seemed intent on causing trouble had it in mind to spoil this good work." He confirmed that police had received a call from a concerned local resident who thought petrol bombs were being manufactured by the youths near Oak Lane.

But he said there was no evidence to support this.

As soon as the report was received, police in protective gear searched the area but found nothing apart from some empty milk bottles.

Superintendent Crosse said the way in which information was released last night may have given the impression that the incident was more serious than it was.

He said an internal inquiry is underway as to how the exaggerated account was released to the media.

They've let us all down

Firefighters attacked with hail of missiles

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.