Twenty years since Oldham riots sparked calls for community unity

The Oldham riots was sparked off after tensions flared between white and Asian youths and rose to a ugly climax on May 26, 2001.

The Live and Let Live pub in Glodwick came under attack with one regular telling the BBC about the terrifying moment a firebomb was hurled threw a window, setting fire to the curtains and floor.

The clientele, made up of white and Asian people, were forced to defend themselves, it was reported.

Clashes between Asian youths and riot police followed with community leaders expressing their shock about the level of violence on display. Similar confrontations were seen in Leeds, Burnley and Bradford in the months that followed.

A government report into the riots was commissioned by then Home Secretary David Blunkett with Professor Ted Cantle given the task of carrying it out.

The cause of the riots was attributed to communities living different or "parallel" lives and getting children from diverse backgrounds working together was a "most urgent task", Prof Cantle reportedly said.

Since then, community groups have been praised for their efforts in developing relationships between people from different sections of society.

Oldham Interfaith Forum was set up in 2001 following the riots and takes part in activities designed to unite people in the town.

Project co-ordinator Fazal Rahim, who joined in 2003, vividly remembers the night.

A screenshot from a video of a police van driving towards fire during the riots (Picture: BBC)

A screenshot from a video of riot police during the riots (Picture: BBC)

A screenshot from a video showing a fire accelerant being thrown near police during the riots (Picture: BBC)

He said: "I was a taxi driver at the time and I was working that night. I was getting messages that people are throwing stones and cars are being bricked on Park Road.

"I got a job in which someone was going near there and I saw a vehicle had been smashed with a brick and I stopped to see if I could help.

"I went back there the following morning and there were stones and debris in the road and a police presence.

"It felt very eery."

Following the violence, the forum was established and vital work has been done in the last two decades.

They celebrate festivals together from different religions and deliver events, including workshops in school across the borough.

Fazal believes his group has played a strong role in improving relations.

Oldham Council leader and cabinet member for economic and social reform, Cllr Arooj Shah, says "real progress" has been made in the borough in the last 20 years.

She said: “The riots in 2001 were a frightening time for Oldham residents.

"They showed the anger and pain that real and perceived inequalities can cause.

“While we still have work to do, Oldham has come so far since then.

"As a Muslim woman who has spent her whole life in Oldham, I have friends across the borough, from many different backgrounds, and I’m the norm, not the exception.

“Oldham is now a place where communities often live, work and learn side by side.

“The pandemic has brought us closer together, with people supporting one another, helping their neighbours to get through.

“Socio-economic inequality is a stubborn challenge, but we’ve made a lot of progress in the last 20 years, and there’s a real sense that with the council, our partners and most importantly our residents all pushing in the same direction, we can keep moving forward.”