Hyde Park stronger a year on from 7/7

9.37.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Jul 2006

Hyde Park and Woodhouse Councillor Kabeer Hussain has released the following statement on the anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings.

Councillor Kabeer Hussain (Lib Dem Hyde Park & Woodhouse) said "A year on from 7/7, the community here in Hyde Park & Woodhouse has succeeded in restoring some semblance of normality after the bombings.

"In the aftermath of the terrible events in London, the community here was subject to an intense level of media scrutiny. We had visits from journalists from all over the world desperate to find a breeding ground for extremism and racial tension. Instead they found a close-knit Leeds community trying to come to terms with the fall out from 7/7 the best way it could.

"As in Beeston, tales of rising tensions have proved unfounded. People have pulled together and made this community stronger than ever, working hard with local youngsters to tackle the root causes of disenchantment and alienation.

"As for the government's intervention so far, the jury's still out. While I support any constructive measures that seek to curb the threat of terrorism, the government must be careful not to create an atmosphere of fear and resentment that fosters the very radicalism we are trying so hard trying to eradicate."

Notes:

1. A house on Alexandra Grove in the Hyde Park area of Cllr Hussain's ward was identified as the site of an alleged bomb factory in the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/4704077.stm