Wetherby man charged with Covid offences after anti-lockdown protest in Bradford

Hundreds of people gathered in Centenary Square on Saturday, March 27 for an event called 'The North Unites Rally'.

There were around 400 people at the demonstration, which included anti-lockdown protestors and anti-vaccination groups as well as anti-government protesters, according to West Yorkshire Police.

In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said some protesters attempted to cause disruption by making their way to the Jacob's Well vaccination centre.

No vaccination centres or testing centres were affected by the demonstration.

Police made 13 arrests on suspicion of a number of offences including public order, and 19 people were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching Covid regulations.

Nine police officers were injured.

On Monday, March 29, West Yorkshire Police said that four people have been charged with Covid offences.

A 35-year-old man from Keighley is charged with holding a gathering of more than 30 persons in a public outdoor area in a Tier 4 area.

A 41-year old-man from Wetherby is charged with participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public outdoor area in a Tier 4 area.

A 45-year-old man from Bradford is charged with participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public outdoor area in a Tier 4 area.

A 39 -year-old man from Bradford is charged with participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public outdoor area in a Tier 4 area.

They will appear at Bradford Magistrates court one June 11.

A man arrested on suspicion of a public order offence has been released under investigation.

A woman arrested on suspicion of affray and assault on emergency worker has been released under investigation

A man arrested on suspicion of assault on an emergency worker has been released under investigation.

A man arrested on suspicion of affray and assault on emergency worker will receive no further action.

A man arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker has been given a conditional caution.

A man and woman were given fixed penalty notices for participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public outdoor place outside the area.

A man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker has been bailed pending further enquiries

A man arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and obstructing a PC has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A man who was arrested with assaulting an emergency worker has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Three people arrested for failing to provide details were issued with Covid fines.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Farrell of Bradford District Police, said: “Our investigation doesn’t end with what happened on Saturday – as a Senior Investigating Officer I am leading an investigation and reviewing the evidence obtained during the demonstration.

“On the day a number of people were arrested, and police officers were injured as they helped to keep the people of Bradford safe.

"Thankfully none of those officers were seriously injured.

“It is important to remember that we remain in the middle of a deadly pandemic and although some of the national restrictions have been relaxed today, public safety is and always will be, our top priority.”