Police today admitted racial conflict played a part in the Bank Holiday violence that engulfed the Lidget Green area of Bradford.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Phil Sedgewick, said that "racist behaviour played a part" and he believed the trouble was sparked by a largely white group of Bank Holiday drinkers who made racist comments at the bar of the Coach House pub.

Groups of Asian youths were also involved in later skirmishes.

But investigators warned the picture was complex and the night of disorder included 50 separate incidents.

More than 130 officers in riot gear had to be drafted in to Lidget Green to control angry crowds who smashed up an Asian takeaway, the Coach House and Second West pubs and a chemist's shop, and pelted missiles at police.

The cost of damage is estimatedto be in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Eight people were hurt, two needing an overnight stay in hospital. A woman driver was taken to hospital with facial injuries after a stone was thrown at the window of her car. Several members of the public reported that they had been assaulted or had had their cars damaged.

Today, an MP criticised the fact that only three out of an estimated 100 rioters had been arrested.

And police and community leaders were embroiled in a developing row over whether the trouble was racially motivated or not.

Locals blamed a group of 40 white "skinheads" for sparking problems, while senior officers insisted that the picture was more complex, with racially mixed groups of youths involved in sporadic incidents.

Three men, a 42-year-old described as 'dark European', a 19-year-old Asian and a 34-year-old white man were arrested, and released on police bail last night.

Police aim to arrest others after sifting through a large amount of evidence and video footage. Extra patrols were out in Lidget Green last night but the area was calm and police believe the violence was a one-off.

Today Detective Superintendent Phil Sedgwick, in charge of the investigation, said: "Racist behaviour does play a part in this investigation but several separate things went on. We want this to be an equitable enquiry and we are looking at the behaviour of all groups - not targeting one." He urged witnesses to call Crimestoppers and pass information on in confidence on 0800 555111.

Political leaders were mortified at the damage done - yet again - to Bradford's reputation.

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh plans urgent talks with police and fellow Bradford MPs.

"I'm really disappointed by this," he said. "Once again, Bradford is at the top of the national news agenda for the wrong reasons.

"I'm also disappointed to hear there have only been three arrests when, as I understand it, there were upwards of 100 people involved. I don't think that's good enough."

But Det Supt Sedgwick said officers needed to be out on the streets dealing with the violence, not processing prisoners.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe added: "They are just mindless yobs and this is unacceptable, it does untold damage to the reputation of the city. We have got to get to the bottom of what's happened - there are no excuses for this type of violence, and we'd ask people to come forward if they have got any information as to what's caused it.

"The way to deal with this is to bring people to justice as quickly as possible."

He said he was pressing senior officers for assurances that this time - unlike in the Manningham riots of 1995 or in Marshfields on Bonfire Night in 1999 - people would be brought to justice.

"The problem with the Marshfields incident is that people wouldn't come forward as witnesses. Unless people come forward, these people will win," Mr Sutcliffe said.

Local councillor Sajawal Hussain (Lab, University) said he thought the unrest could have been nipped in the bud if police had reacted more strongly to the first incident, at the Bilal takeaway in Legrams Lane.

He said the white culprits had spilled out of the Coach House pub and aimed verbal abuse at local Asian women and young children, before smashing the window of the Bilal.

"I would call this a racial incident, because I understand racial abuse was hurled by a group of white men," Coun Hussain said.

"After this, Asian youths got together in crowds and responded and retaliated. They would say they had to protect their livelihoods and businesses. This could have been avoided if police had come in time but their hands were tied because of a lack of resources that night."

Opinion