Protest interrupts road deaths meeting due to bailiffs

Police were summoned to Bradford City Hall after a council session on road fatalities was interrupted by demonstrators opposing the use of bailiffs. During the session, a group of attendees stood up, displayed a banner, and spoke out against bailiffs visiting an elderly resident behind on council tax payments.

Despite requests to stop and allow the session to continue, the protesters persisted, urging the council to cease employing bailiffs. West Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers at the scene spoke with the demonstrators, who then left the building without further incident.

The disruption occurred during a meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on Thursday. Some protesters were wearing t-shirts representing the Acorn community union, a national organization for tenants, workers, and residents.

Committee chair Councillor Nazam Azam asked the protesters to stop, but when the disturbance continued, council members and speakers temporarily left the room, and police along with security staff were called. After approximately 20 minutes, the protesters departed, and the meeting resumed.

Police later informed Azam that the group had attempted to hand him documents, which he refused to accept. It was also noted that one participant had been recording the session. After proceedings resumed, Azam stated that he had not anticipated the protest and emphasized that he welcomes filming but not disruptions. He added that the proper procedure for addressing the council would have been to submit a formal request to speak.

Azam commented on the attempted handover of paperwork: "To cause all that disruption just to deliver a letter is not acceptable." The council session then continued as planned.

Author: Harper Simmons