DETECTIVES in Bradford are investigating an alleged hate crime following a political rally in the city.

Police were called after a journalist claimed he was attacked at the Respect event on Sunday.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Blackwell, of Bradford District Police, said: "Police are investigating an alleged hate crime in which a 27-year-old man sustained minor injuries following a disturbance at a political rally in Bradford.

"The incident is believed to have occurred on Sunday afternoon at St Martin's Methodist Church on Haworth Road in the Heaton area of Bradford.

"The investigation is at an early stage and we are continuing to seek witnesses to the incident."

Respect spokesman Ron McKay said: "There was some kind of fracas or incident outside the church where we were holding a rally. I did not witness it but I did call the crime commander for this area, Simon Atkins, and his deputy. Sometime later they did get back to us and said there had been no reports of anything made to them.

"As far as we were aware there had still been no reports made so I don't know when it was reported. I don't know if it was exaggerated, if people from the rally were involved.

"At this point the police have still not approached us. We will wait to hear from them."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bradford District CID on the non-emergency number 101 and quoting crime reference number 13150178716.