Bradford's casualty unit was shut down after fighting broke out between football fans, it emerged today.

A mass brawl broke out in the old accident and emergency department at Bradford Royal Infirmary shortly before 8pm on Sunday. The incident came just hours before the unit closed for refurbishment and staff and patients moved to a temporary A&E section.

The temporary unit which is now being used while the revamp takes place features extra security, including closed-circuit television

During Sunday's incident a squad of police with dogs was forced to separate group of men as terrified patients waiting for treatment looked on. A fight had broken out between two men and appeared to have been sorted out but it is understood both used mobile phones to call friends and clashes began again.

The waiting area was cleared for about 20 minutes and a number of patients instead went for treatment at Airedale General Hospital in Steeton.

Philip Turner, director of non-clinical operations at the hospital, said: "It was the biggest incident in my experience, which is 29 years."

A West Yorkshire police spokesman said police attended the incident at the A&E unit and the car park. Police attended and dispersed groups of youths within six minutes who left the area. Extra patrols were mounted and there was no further trouble. No arrests had been made.

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