YOUTHS tried to obstruct firefighters tackling an arson attack on a Keighley primary school.

The blaze gutted a classroom at Holycroft Primary School at around 7.30pm on Saturday.

Firefighters aided staff in salvaging teaching materials but some of their efforts were hampered by a gang of youths.

Head teacher Sarah Kingston said: "The smoke attracted a sizeable group of youths, both local and from further afield, who became confrontational and obstructed the work people were trying to do."

She said female support staff, who had turned up to help, felt threatened when the youths' abusive behaviour continued and called the police at around 8.30pm.

According to Mrs Kingston the police did not arrive until 9.45pm.

But she added: "I am well aware that the police are fully stretched and that it was Saturday night so they were very busy and I understand the issue with police resources.

"There are two strong messages I want to get across. Firstly, to the community that they are safe in that police are doing what they can to ensure their security day to day. Secondly, to the youths causing these problems that there are certain unacceptable ways of behaving.

"Confrontational and rude attitudes will not be tolerated and there will be consequences for such behaviour."

Police say they are treating the fire as an arson attack, which is being investigated, but that no actual crime was committed by the abusive youths.