Appeals for calm were made today after 15 people were arrested following a third night of violent clashes on the streets of Bradford.

Police were attacked with bricks and bottles by groups of white youths on the Ravenscliffe and Holme Wood estates.

The disturbances started when the Asian-owned Pizza Corner restaurant, in Tong Street,was attacked by a gang of white youths. A group of Asian men later gathered outside the restaurant in protest.

Riot police sent in to disperse a group of about 20 to 30 white men outside the Tempest pub, in Holme Wood, came under fire from a hail of missiles.

In the Ravens-cliffe area a car was set alight when up to 100 white youths ran amok at about the same time. Gangs of yobs had hurled missiles at a line of around 50 police officers.

A large-scale police presence, supported by the force helicopter, contained the disorder around the Ravenscliffe Avenue area and it was finally brought under control at about 1am after officers had sealed off roads into the estate.

There were no reports of injuries but police confirmed that two Asian restaurants suffered broken windows.

Van loads of officers in full riot gear were drafted into the Holme Wood estate. At one point, a Subaru Impreza driven by an Asian male was pursued by three police vehicles by Broadstone Way before the trouble started when police moved in to disperse the crowd which had gathered outside the Tempest pub.

One 32-year-old father-of-two said trouble had been brewing for the past two days.

"It was mindless violence once again and we are sick of it. The police were around here last night - I think they knew something was going to happen."

There were no reports of injuries to officers.

Last night, Chief Superintendent Stuart Hyde said police had taken "positive action" to contain the situations.

"We ask the people of Bradford not to get involved in these incidents. We are moving quickly and effectively to stop such criminal activities," he said.

"The police presence helped restore normality in the areas and officers were deployed quickly and effectively to disperse crowds and make arrests.

"Police actions last night provided a clear warning to people that if you act with violence on the streets then you risk arrest and prosecution."

He added: "There have been numerous rumours and speculation about the disorder but it consists of these two incidents in the Ravenscliffe and Holme Wood areas and we are taking positive action to resolve them."

Those under arrest were being held today at a variety of stations throughout the district for offences including violent disorder and possessing offensive weapons.

Today Councillor John Ruding (Lab, Tong) said: "I'm appealing to the people of Holme Wood, and all over Bradford, to stay calm.

"People need to understand that the colour of somebody's skin doesn't mean that they're involved with a particular organisation or that they were involved with the rioting at the weekend.

"We have got to continue living together and help each other get through this.

"We are all members of the same community and these disturbances have affected everyone in the city. It's time we saw an end to it."