Children as young as 11 were involved in Bradford's violent Easter Sunday disturbances, detectives revealed today.

Witnesses reported seeing school-age children among stone-throwing mobs who burnt cars and looted businesses.

Scores of officers are now investigating almost 100 separate crimes committed during three hours of disorder in Lidget Green.

They revealed there had been 19 assaults including:

*A nurse suffering serious facial wounds when a brick was thrown through her car window.

*A married couple dragged from their scooter and beaten by the mob.

*A man having his jaw broken with a missile, another suffering back injuries and two with head wounds from hurled stones.

Detective Superintendent Phil Sedgwick, who is heading the investigation, said: "Witnesses described 11-year-old children throwing stones and becoming involved in the disturbances.

"It is a worrying factor. They were not orchestrating trouble, I think they got caught up in what was going on around them."

He added: "You cannot expect 11-year-olds to think for themselves. It shows how powerful the influence of role models is upon them."

Det Supt Sedgwick said parts of Lidget Green resembled a "battle zone" adding that the original incident which sparked the disorder "got out of hand" with officers unable to keep the peace.

He said the trouble began when a 30-40 strong group of predominantly white drinkers went to the Coach House pub in Legrams Lane at around 7.30pm.

Some 'banter' between them and a small group of Indians 'became heated' and ended with a racist comment made.

"A fight started which then spilled outside. Other people quickly became involved who were nearby at the time," said Det Supt Sedgwick.

White men chased one of the Indian group into the Bilal takeaway and after he escaped through a rear exit, the windows were smashed.

Members of the original group boarded a bus which passed back by the Coach House. A group of around five officers stopped it but the group jumped out of a fire exit.

"The officers felt threatened at this point. There were not enough of them to effect arrests and they wanted to keep the two groups apart to avoid further disorder. The situation had got out of hand."

Witnesses saw the white gang escape and head towards the Second West pub "shouting and being disorderly". They were then involved in a disturbance there and the pub came under attack with bricks and stones.

"Members of the original group left the area and we believe that they were then involved in another fight in Woodhead Road, around one mile away," said Det Supt Sedgwick.

As time went on, a marauding 100-strong crowd attacked and looted the Willowfield pub and Lloyds Pharmacy as well as hurling stones at the Ukrainian Club where two men were hurt.

Police appealed for witnesses to come forward particularly people on the original group in the Coach House, some of whom were not thought to be involved, "We would urge these people to come forward before it's too late," Det Supt Sedgwick.

Anyone with information should contact 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Police have also launched a special Urdu hotline where people can leave a message or arrange for an officer to see them. It is on (01274) 376313.