Gang rivalry among Asian youths has spilled over into a school.

Now, after a plea to the Keigh-ley News, MP Ann Cryer has called on Asian leaders to help track down two students who carried out a vicious attack.

News of the incident came in a note to this newspaper which called on Asian families to stop covering up for their sons. The letter revealed that a sixth form pupil at Greenhead High School had suffered a fractured skull when he was beaten by two other sixth formers.

It is believed the victim is not part of a gang but is friends with someone who is in a rival gang to his two attackers.

The 16-year-old was taken to Airedale Hospital and then transferred to Bradford Royal Infirmary. Doctors have inserted a metal plate in his face to try and reconstruct his bone structure, and have worked to save the sight in one of his eyes.

MP Ann Cryer says: "Many young men are getting away with crimes of violence because the community sees it in its interest to protect them from prosecution, and it is so far off the mark.

"The way to alleviate this problem in the town is for Asian leaders to bring pressure to bear on families of children who perpetrate the crime, and anyone with evidence should be encouraged to come forward to police.

"The Asian community must understand the way forward is not to brush things under the carpet. The way forward is to make sure wrong-doers are punished. I extend my sympathy to the young man and hope his family are strong enough to withstand any pressure."

Greenhead's deputy head teacher Margaret Platts, who is also Sangat Centre chairman, says the school is disgusted at the way gang violence has been dragged into the classroom. "Unfortunately, for many young people in town, gang culture is a fact of life, and for some violence is becoming an acceptable part of that.

"It has appalled us that this has been brought into school and we are working with the victim's parents and police to establish the facts. Our sympathy is with him and his family.

"Whatever decision is made by the police, tough action will be taken by the school against the perpetrators."

She adds: "Greenhead has received a lot of recognition for the harmonious relationship between students, and the school works positively to eradicate bullying of any kind."

The two students responsible for the attack have been suspended whilst the incident is investigated by Keighley police.

Chief Inspector Steve Hobson says: "We treat all reports of assault very seriously, and we would urge anyone who is a victim of any sort of crime to report it to the police so we can investigate the matter properly."

A Sangat Centre spokesman says: "Of course the culprits should be made to face any punishment set under law.

"The general trend to keep things within the community and to sweep problems such as this under the carpet will surely not have a positive long term effect. But it is sometimes a good thing that a problem can be settled within the community without involving the police."