RESIDENTS have spoken of their shock after violence erupted in the street next to a field where children were playing.

A man aged in his 30s was taken to hospital after being assaulted by a a group of males, police said.

The incident took place at around 6.10pm on Monday in West Royd Crescent, Shipley.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said a man entered the street and began hurling abuse at a house, before the group of men came out and attacked him.

He said: “The 15 guys came out of the house and started battering the man.

“He was pretty badly injured in the attack, and after the men all got in cars and left the street before an ambulance came to treat the man.

“Police then cordoned off the street for about two and a half hours after.”

The resident added that children had been playing on a field in the street shortly before the incident and had to flee.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed they attended the incident.

The spokesman said: “Officers found a man in his 30s had been assaulted by a group of males.

“The victim sustained minor injuries in the incident and was taken to hospital, and inquiries are ongoing.”

Another resident said, while she didn’t see the violence unfolding, it was brought to her attention when her husband got home from work at around 10pm and couldn’t get through the police cordon.

She said: “It makes me very concerned and is quite scary, because if you had been walking past at the time you could have been caught up in it.”

Another resident said she called her children home - who were playing in the street - shortly before because she heard tyres screeching.

She added: “It’s just not safe.

“I’ve no idea why this kind of thing is happening.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe (Labour, Windhill and Wrose) said the incident “shocked local residents”.

She said: “I went to speak to police at the scene afterwards, and they are talking to residents and appealing for witnesses.

“Such action in the heart of our community cannot be tolerated.”

Anyone with any information is being asked to contact police on 101, quoting crime reference number 13170279837.