Three crashes in less than an hour brought chaos to the roads today.

The first, at 1.40pm, saw a transit van smash into two police cars as it was allegedly speeding from the scene of a burglary.

Officers had been called to reports of a burglary in progress at a unit on the Armytage Road industrial estate.

When police attended, a van failed to stop and ended up colliding with the patrol cars on Wakefield Road, outside the Robin Hood pub.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of burglary and dangerous driving. Three police officers suffered minor injuries. Ten minutes later, two Renault Clios collided outside the Armytage Arms on Highmoor Lane, leaving one person with minor injuries.

Then, at 2.35pm, a motorbike and a van were in collision at the junction of Walton Lane and Halifax Road. The motorcyclist, who suffered serious injuries, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary.

A police spokesman said his injuries were not believed to be critical.

Halifax Road was closed in both directions between Walton Lane and Bradford Road.