Violence explodes in centre of Bradford as ‘mourners’ brawl in street after ‘attending funeral’ – as city is set for Tier Three lockdown on Monday
Violence exploded in the centre of Bradford today as men and women believed to have attended a funeral brawled in the street.
Around 20 people were caught up in the violence on Rawsom Road at 1.17pm today according to witnesses, forcing police to break up a fight between two men.
The fight came three days before the city joins the rest of West Yorkshire in going under Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.
Shocking photos show people pull the two men apart after one of them had his face bloodied in the fight.
Blood pours from a man's mouth as men brawl on the pavement after heated arguments among a group of people believed to have been attending a funeral turned to violence on Rawsom Road at 1.17pm today
A police officer talks to a man seated on the pavement after the fight broke out in the street
Around 20 people were caught up in the violence on Rawsom Road at 1.17pm today, forcing police to break up a fight between two men
A large group circled round the struggle as the white-haired man in a grey tracksuit was pulled off.
He was pushed back by a woman as another attacker continues to hold the beaten man in blue trainers on the ground.
Another picture shows a woman raising her fist at the man in blue trainers as he holds his arms up in defence as other circle behind her.
They closed in on him before the tussle begins and he is beaten to the ground.
A woman pushes back the man in a grey tracksuit as another attacker continues to hold the beaten man in blue trainers on the ground
Around 20 people were caught up in the violence three days before the city joins the rest of West Yorkshire in going under Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions
Four men close in on the man in blue trainers before the tussle begins and he is beaten to the ground
West Yorkshire Police said: 'Emergency services were called to Rawson Road in Bradford City Centre at about 1.17pm on Friday to reports of a disturbance involving a group of people.
'Officers attended and located a man who had suffered a facial injury. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
'A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident and remains in police custody.
'Enquiries remain ongoing by Bradford District Police.'
The injured man seated on the pavement is tended to by a police officer after the fight today
A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident and remains in police custody
It comes as West Yorkshire is to be placed under tier three Covid restrictions from Monday.
The area, which includes Bradford and Leeds, is home to an estimated 2.3 million people.
A further financial package of more than £59.3m for the region has been promised by the government.
Pubs and bars not serving substantial meals will be shut as well as all betting shops, Casinos, car boot sales, soft play and adult gaming centres.
Yorkshire MPs railed against the Government's decision to push the area into Tier Three lockdown from this weekend, branding the move 'disappointing' and warning it will 'ruin people's lives'.
Council leaders in region yesterday admitted they had been 'reluctant' to accept the move and that they feared for local businesses because the Government was 'not in the mood to offer more' money to support them.
The leader of Leeds's council said the city would receive around £60million, but it is not clear how much has been offered to West Yorkshire as a whole.
The anger has been echoed by MPs for the region, both Labour and Conservative, who have branded the move 'arbitrary' and damaging and said there is no proof they will work.