The Bradford Riots were a short but intense period of rioting which began on July 7,2001 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It occurred as a result of heightened tens
…ion between South Asian minority communities and the city's white majority, stoked by confrontation between the Anti-Nazi League and far right National Front. Similar race riots occurred a few days before in Burnley and Oldham. Tensions rose after the National Front attempted to organize a march in the city which was banned by Home Secretary David Blunkett under the Public Order Act 1986. The Anti Nazi League organized a counter march which was allowed to proceed. During the course of the march, a rumour was spread by some of the marchers that National Front sympathizers were gathering at a pub in the centre of Bradford. A confrontation ensued outside the pub during which a Pakistani man was stabbed. That incident became the trigger for the riot. More than 300 police officers were hurt during the riot. There were 297 arrests in total; 187 people were charged with riot, 45 with violent disorder and 200 jail sentences totalling 604 years were handed down. The number of convictions for riot was unprecedented and excessive for English legal history. The estimated damage was put at £7 million. The government subsequently commissioned the Cantle report, which made 67 recommendations. In 2006 Channel 4 produced a TV drama based loosely on the riots from the perspective of an Asian family. The sentences handed out by justices can be seen as excessive, since white rioters have been given minimal sentences. The sentencing did not take into account the fear of right-wing white supremacist organizations that had gripped to Asian community. Bradford is divided into a ghettoized half for South Asian, largely Muslim community, which created the conditions for tensions and violence to erupt. Prison sentences were inevitable given the severity of the violence but doubts arise for three or more year sentences given to those who plead guilty and showed remorse for their actions. The controversy of justice has had a divisive effect on the community according to Joseph Roundtree Report on the Bradford Riot from 2002. (MORE) 
