Bradford, hit by serious rioting last weekend, was in the "grip of fear" because of the lack of integration in the city, its racial intolerance and weak political leadership. These were the main findings of a study on race and social attitudes published yesterday.
The independent report was commissioned by Bradford Vision, made up of members of Bradford Council and community groups in the city, and carried out towards the end of last year - months before Asian and white youths rioted for three nights in the city.
Publishing his hard-hitting report, former chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Lord Ouseley, said Bradford faced major challenges if it was to improve relations between the white population and the Asian minority.
He criticised the city's racial segregation, and the unwillingness of the police to tackle crime in the Asian community. Pointing to a lack of political leadership, Lord Ouseley said fear of talking "openly and honestly" about race had led to recrimination and victimisation.
The report entitled Community Pride No Prejudice praised many of the local initiatives already underway to improve race relations, but said more had to be done to reduce fear and promote understanding. Introducing a "people's programme" of initiatives aimed at promoting stronger local leadership and creating a "unifying sense of identity", Lord Ouseley called on the city's schools to encourage pupils to learn about different cultures. There should be a centre for diversity to promote learning and understanding and equality conditions should be written into in all public contracts Lord Ouseley said.
The chairperson of Bradford Vision, Ms Margaret Eaton, said the report offered hope for the future. A team is being put together to consider Lord Ouseley's recommendations, she added. "Ours is not a northern problem," she said. "It is a national, if not international one, which has roots in a more general tide of public feeling..."
In an embarrassing development yesterday Bradford Vision announced it is to investigate why none of its members are drawn from the ethnic communities.
West Yorkshire Police also welcomed the report and denied suggestions that its officers were afraid to arrest members of the Asian community for fear of being labelled racist. A spokesman said the criticism was "simply not borne out by the facts".