A Keighley community leader and magistrate has backed calls for the use of water cannon and tear gas to combat future mob violence.

Khadim Hussain, who runs the Sangat Centre in Keighley, wants police to have more powers to deal with rioters.

Bradford MPs have met Home Secretary David Blunkett to discuss the possibility of giving extra powers to police, including the water cannon.

Mr Hussain said: "I fully support the call for police to be given the use of water cannon or tear gas.

"Unless the police are given more powers and authority to deal with these situations, then it will go from bad to worse."

He called on the community to unite in the condemnation of the Bradford riots.

"We need to unite - the colour of people's skins should not be a factor.

"We must stand together and oppose these people who are destroying the fabric of society," said Mr Hussain a member of the West Yorkshire Police Advisory Committee.

He praised the police for the tolerant way they had attempted to deal with the confrontation.

He was shocked by the level of violence and had received telephone calls from friends living in the Oak Lane area of Bradford, one of the riot hotspots.

"They told me they were terrified and some thought they might not even see daylight," he said.

He called on people in Keighley to keep calm and not be drawn into the conflict.

"My message now is that we must take ownership of these problems and not react only when they happen.

"We must sit down and involve the whole community, every walk of life in working out strategies.

We need a partnership between the Home Office politicians and community representatives," he added.