2001 Bradford riots

[1][2] Similar ethnic riots had occurred earlier in other parts of Northern England, such as Oldham in May and Burnley in June.

Tensions rose after the National Front attempted to organise a march in the city which was banned by Home Secretary David Blunkett under the Public Order Act 1986.

During the course of the rally, held on Saturday 7 July,[11] a rumour was spread by some of the marchers that National Front sympathisers were gathering at a pub in the centre of Bradford.

[11] On the nights of 8 and 9 July 2001, groups of between thirty and a hundred white youths attacked police and Asian-owned businesses, in the Ravenscliffe and Holmewood areas.

[13] What began as a riot turned into an ethnic-related disturbance, with targeting of businesses and cars, along with numerous attacks on shops and property.

The number of convictions for riot was unprecedented in English legal history; the next highest amount was five for an investigation in London.

The heaviest sentence handed out in connection with the riots was that of the aforementioned Mohammed Ilyas, a 48-year-old local businessman, who was found guilty of arson and being reckless as to whether life was endangered.