Police officers have complained of a lack of training and essential equipment in the face of vicious organised attacks during Bradford's riots.

They also raised questions about the tactics of senior officers which allowed the mob to re-use missiles as the police front line retreated.

And the Police Federation - which represents rank-and-file officers - said many of the 318 injuries to police could have been avoided if lessons had been learned from earlier disturbances in Oldham.

In both instances, rioters employed sophisticated tactics to inflict maximum injuries. By throwing missiles high and then aiming low, rioters were able to target the 'soft area' of officers' feet and ankles - where the large majority of injuries were sustained.

Richard Critchley, secretary of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, said officers reported that the short shields used as standard national riot issue were not adequate to stop this.

Mr Critchley stressed that the police authority and Chief Constable had been "very supportive" and were working with the federation to secure improved protection for the future.

Any changes in equipment will be implemented across the country.

He said: "People think of riots as impulsive actions, but there were people organising and demonstrating how to cause the most injuries."

Although this was reported in Oldham weeks earlier, there was no major change in policing the Bradford disorder. Had officers been given more protection, such as full-length shields, it was "distinctly possible" that fewer would have been injured.

A number of officers have made claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority since the riot.

A police spokesman today said 42 remain on sick leave with some injuries bad enough to cost officers their career.

As reported in the Telegraph & Argus yesterday, seven officers have submitted grievances to a federation solicitor who will advise whether they have grounds to sue the authority for negligence.

"No proceedings have yet been instigated - we have not even had any advice that an officer may be able to establish a case against the Chief (Constable of West Yorkshire)," said Mr Critchley.

"Some of our members felt they had been injured unnecessarily because they didn't have the proper training or equipment."

At least one officer said they had not undergone public-order training and said they did not have essential equipment to face the violence. Others said they had been left exhausted and dehydrated after being left for more than eight hours without a break or water.

A spokesman said all officers' concerns would be examined.