Police and community leaders appealed for calm today after violence broke out on the streets of Thornbury last night.

A gang of about 30 Asian youths pelted police cars and passing motorists with bricks and bottles.

The trouble flared after police received a call at 9.30pm to say someone had been stabbed in the Leeds Road area of Thornbury, Bradford.

When officers arrived it was found to be a malicious hoax call and they were bombarded with missiles.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We then got a number of reports regarding youths in the Leeds Road area throwing stones and bottles at passing cars.

"Reports varied, but it appears there were about 30 youths in total. Extra resources were deployed and calm was restored."

The spokesman said one youth was arrested at the scene for breach of the peace, adding that inquiries were continuing to identify the other culprits.

Extra officers were drafted into the area today. They were speaking to community contacts and gathering intelligence.

Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, (Lab, Bradford Moor) today condemned the troublemakers and appealed for calm.

He said: "My understanding is that there were about 30 youths involved in the incident.

"I am concerned about the attacks on police. And it is particularly appalling that ordinary motorists were having stones and bottles thrown at them.

"People should not be taking the law into their own hands. The situation seems to have calmed down and I am anxious it stays that way.

"This isn't an on-going problem. There is no underlying tension in the area."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In an unrelated incident a man was arrested in Thornbury Drive, Thornbury, following an incident at an address in Pudsey last night.

The Thornbury man, in his 20s, who was in a car, was followed by several police cars before he was taken into custody at 7pm. Police followed the vehicle after it was suspected he was involved in damage to a house in Sunnyridge Drive, Pudsey. The man was being questioned today.

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