Violence that marred the bank holiday weekend in Ilkley has been branded “deeply shocking and unacceptable” by the town's MP.

West Yorkshire Police had to draft in extra officers to deal with a number of incidents in the town and the park, including shutting Marshalls fun fair in East Holmes field for over an hour on Saturday.

Keighley MP John Grogan, whose constituency covers Ilkley, said: “I commend the police on taking decisive action to deal with a number of incidents in Ilkley over the bank holiday weekend although resources were stretched and extra officers had to be drafted in from elsewhere.

“I think West Yorkshire Police accept they will have to up their assessment of the risk of disorder in the town on future bank holidays. I spoke to Inspector Khan, the senior police officer for the Keighley and Ilkley District, over the bank holiday. I understand a number of arrests were made of people who were involved in the incidents and that none of them had Ilkley addresses.

“The town was clearly a magnet for trouble makers from far and wide over the bank holiday. Inspector Khan assured me that this would be taken to account on future occasions when deploying resources.”

Inspector Khalid Khan said: “A total of eight males were arrested for two incidents of violence which occurred in Ilkley on Saturday and Sunday.

“Five males aged between 14 and 20 were arrested on suspicion of affray following reports of males fighting at Middleton Sports Ground at around 5.30pm on Saturday. All were later bailed pending further enquiries.

“Officers temporarily suspended the fair at the location and used a dispersal order to remove a number of males from the event before it was reopened. There were no further reports of similar incidents.

“On Sunday three males aged between 15 and 18 were arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent following an assault on two teenage males in Knowle Park at around 6.50pm.

“An 18-year-old male was taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury and those arrested were later released under investigation.

“Enquiries are continuing but there is no information at present to suggest that either of these incidents were directly connected to the events which have taken place in Ilkley over the Bank Holiday weekend.”

Ilkley’s ward councillors said they had all been contacted by concerned residents about the trouble in the town.

Councillor Martin Smith (Con, Ilkley), said: “Rampant hooliganism from outside our town has to stop.”

Cllr Smith said he would be writing to Bradford Council asking for them to review future arrangements for the fair.

Cllr Mike Gibbons (Con, Ilkley) said: “It is hugely regrettable that such people feel they are able to spoil the fun for the vast majority of people.”

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth added: “The police appear to have done an admirable job.”