POLICE are investigating reports of two assaults at a Bradford school, with one being treated as a hate crime.

Officers are continuing inquiries into the disturbance, which happened at St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College in Manningham.

The school said several youths entered the grounds, and had to be challenged by staff.

A Bradford father, who had arrived early to pick his daughter up from the school, claimed that his car was damaged and that he was assaulted after trying to capture the incident on camera.

The dad, who wishes to remain anonymous, lives in Clayton. He alleged that one of the youths attempted to assault a teacher at the school when asked to leave the car park.

He said that he was able to photograph the suspects and capture much of the incident on the dashcam installed in his car.

He claimed the youths took offence to the filming, and set upon him as well.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus about how the incident unfolded, the dad said he had arrived early at the school to pick his daughter up when the incident unfolded just after 2pm on Friday.

The dad alleged: “Five Asian males entered the school premises and approached the fenced off sport area where children were playing and were shouting at the students.

“A teacher approached the gang and told them to leave the grounds. However one of them became extremely aggressive towards the teacher and tried to assault him. Four of the gang left the grounds but one of them took offence at me filming it with my dash cam and decided he would kick the wing mirror on my car and run off.

“I took chase and was assaulted by one of the gang.

“He punched me in the face and caused real swelling and discomfort. He made his escape on foot before the police arrived and I gave my statement.

“I felt real shock at the whole incident and at my age I just don’t need it.”

West Yorkshire Police issued a statement on the matter, specifically referring to a hate crime being recorded.

It said: “Enquiries are continuing into the circumstances of this incident which occurred at around 2pm last Friday.

“Two crimes of assault have been recorded for investigation. One of which, following further enquiries with the victim, is now being investigated as a hate crime.”

A spokesperson issued a statement on behalf of St Bede’s & St Joseph’s school, confirming that a disturbance took place on school grounds.

It said: “Several children ran into our visitor car park on Friday afternoon.

“They were immediately challenged by members of our staff and left.

“We have had a report of damage to a vehicle and passed those details to the police.”

The co-educational school was founded by the merger of the two single sex Catholic secondary schools in Bradford; the boys school St Bede’s Catholic Grammar School in Heaton and the girls school St Joseph’s Catholic College in Manningham.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have more information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 939 of 14 June, or use www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.