t: 0208 761 8071
e: infobtpf@btconnect.com

Conference 2002 - Awards of Excellence Awards of Excellence - London North

Inspector Andy Ball, Representing the London North Police Support Unit

On Saturday 7th July 2001 officers from the London North Police Support Unit were sent to Bradford Interchange Station in relation to the proposed banned meetings of the British National Party and the Anti Nazi League.

During the afternoon violence broke out in the town centre and around the railway station. The P.S.U. was deployed and order restored.

Later in the evening as violence escalated West Yorkshire Police requested assistance from the British Transport Police P.S.U.

A crowd of over a thousand rioters were in the White Abbey Road area, which was a scene of destruction, confusion and high levels of violence.

Offensive tactics were used by the P.S.U. in an effort to disrupt the rioters and to relieve pressure on the West Yorkshire Police static lines.

Several key arrests were made and invaluable assistance was rendered to many West Yorkshire Officers. In all 17 British Transport Police Officers received injuries including Andy who suffered a broken ankle.