Re-integrating the Bradford rioters: Lessons for NOMS and the future of resettlement
| Author | Sarah Cocker |
| Published date | 01 September 2005 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0264550505055436 |
| Date | 01 September 2005 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Re-integrating the Bradford rioters: Lessons for
NOMS and the future of resettlement
Sarah Cocker, West Yorkshire Probation Area
Abstract This article presents findings from an evaluation of the work undertaken
by an inter-agency group to resettle individuals imprisoned as a result of their
involvement in the 2001 Bradford riots.1It outlines the steps taken by the group
towards developing a seamless approach to the case management of offenders
from prison into the community. The discussion is intended to identify the lessons
that can be learned from this approach, and to inform general resettlement
practice.
Keywords case management, NOMS, prisons, resettlement, riots
Introduction
Disturbances erupted in the city of Bradford during July 2001 after various racial
and political tensions reached breaking point. The riots resulted in millions of
pounds worth of damage and injuries to over 300 police officers. Victims of the
conflicts include local citizens and businesses, and the city’s economy was heavily
affected. Over 260 people were charged with riot and riot-related offences. The
vast majority received custodial sentences, many of which were four or more years
in length. A large proportion of those charged were previously known to police
and the majority were Asian (88%) with 10 per cent White and 2 per cent Black
(West Yorkshire Police, 2005).
Power and Tunstall (1997) have identified several common causes of riots:
●Economic factors such as lack of work opportunities and marketable skills;
●Social aspects including poverty, family breakdown and weak social
controls; and
●Demographic factors.
259
Probation Journal
The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice
Copyright © 2005 NAPO Vol 52(3): 259–276
DOI: 10.1177/0264550505055436
www.napo.org.uk
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Article
04_055436_Briggs (JB-D) 27/7/05 3:26 pm Page 259
When combined these factors can weaken normal community controls. Many of
these issues are applicable to parts of Bradford which has suffered heavily from
de-industrialization and has failed to establish itself in the developing post-
industrial economy, unlike other towns and cities that have been able to re-
establish themselves (Mezaros, 2001). Several areas of Bradford suffer from high
rates of unemployment, market failure, social deprivation, inadequate housing,
poor health and social exclusion.
Another issue in Bradford is the way in which the community is fragmented. A
report by Ouseley (2001), completed prior to the riots, set out to identify why this
fragmentation, along social, cultural, ethnic and religious lines, was taking place
and what could be done about it. The report identified a key concern as the
deterioration of relationships between different cultural communities when such
relationships should be improving. Indeed, such polarization of communities has
arguably provided opportunities for overtly racist groups to make progress. More
specifically, during the summer of 2001 racial tensions were high as a result of
activities and threats of the National Front and the British National Party. The day
of the riots should have been an occasion to celebrate; it was the conclusion of a
fortnight long festival with a final event ‘World in a City’ that was to celebrate the
diverse cultural heritage in Bradford. However, the cancellation of this event by the
council (after police stated that they could not guarantee public safety) proved to
be disastrous as various groups of people – including Nazi and anti-Nazi protest-
ers – gathered in the centre of Bradford, and tensions between these opposing
groups subsequently turned into violence (Mezaros, 2001).
Following the riots in Bradford and other northern towns and cities such as
Oldham and Burnley, an independent review team was established by the Home
Office to identify the issues which needed to be addressed to bring about greater
social cohesion (Cantle, 2001). The findings from this report highlighted the level
of ‘polarization’ within these towns and cities indicating that ‘many communities
operate on the basis of a series of parallel lives’ (Cantle, 2001: 9), a finding
which is echoed in the Ouseley report (2001). Clearly a lot of work is needed to
tackle the issues underlying this segregation within communities. A further
pressing issue for Bradford was the realization that many of the individuals
convicted of riot and riot-related offences would be released during a similar
time period and the potential risk of further disturbances needed to be
addressed.
The ‘Re-integration of Offenders Group’ – led by West Yorkshire probation area
– was formed under the umbrella of ‘Bradford Vision’, the local strategic partner-
ship. It comprised members from organizations such as West Yorkshire police,
Bradford council, Job Centre Plus (JCP) and local organizations such as Himmat
and Ummid – voluntary sector organizations working with Asian offenders. The
key aims of the group were:
●Reintegrating the rioters back into society;
●Reducing the likelihood of another riot or other re-offending;
●Finding job opportunities for the rioters upon release from prison;
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