THE run-up to the disturbances in Burnley began on Easter Sunday in April, when tensions between whites and Asians in Bradford exploded into violence.

The most serious outbreak came in late May, as some of the worst racial violence in 15 years tore through Oldham

Within a week the troubles crossed back over the Pennines to Leeds, where more than 100 Asians rioted.

Three weeks after that, tensions flared in Burnley following a hammer attack on an Asian taxi driver by a gang of white men. Weeks earlier, the BNP had polled more than 11 per cent at the General Election.

Over two nights, there were clashes between mobs of more than 200 white and Asian youths. A senior member of the Commission for Racial Equality, Shahid Malik, claimed police had smashed him in the face with a riot shield.

Police in Burnley arrested 55 people who were charged with a variety of offences.

A team of officers was set up to trawl through CCTV footage. Pictures of suspected troublemakers were published in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and 47 people arrested.

Fourteen new police officers were drafted in to patrol areas such as Stoneyholme and Daneshouse.

Hundreds of officers were drafted in from across Lancashire's six divisions.