Police and one of the city's MPs tonight made the unusual move of putting out statements to dismiss an alarming rumour that had been circulation about an apparent serious crime in Bradford.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "There's circulation amongst our communities about an acid attack within Bradford. I can confirm this incident is rumour and has NOT occurred."

Earlier, Bradford West MP Naz Shah also issued a statement entitled "Alleged Acid Attack in Manningham".

In it, she said: "I have just spoken to the Head of Bradford Police, Chief Superintendent Scott Bisset, following many rumours of the above & that roads were closed in Manningham.

"I have been informed there are no road closures and no such incident has been reported/ is being dealt with."

Today's rumour, which was not reported by the Telegraph & Argus, appears to be the latest example of the recent increase in so-called 'fake news' circulating on the internet. 

The T&A and its sister newspapers have been running a campaign in recent months called 'Fighting Fake News.'

Tonight, calls were made for action to be taken against whoever started today's rumour.

Amjad Pervez, chairman of the Rainbow Trust, said: "The originators of these kind of fake news and rumours need to be brought to account harshly and with haste."