Police officers over-reacted during a large-scale disturbance involving up to 200 people outside a Bradford school, a Court was told.

Prosecutor Richard Sagar told the city's Youth Court that between 100 and 200 young people were involved in the incident, which began outside a newsagent's shop near Rhodesway School in Allerton on November 24.

One police officer described it as "the most intimidating public order situation" he had faced in nine years service.

But defence solicitor Stuart Carter told the court there had always been the suggestion that the police had over-reacted and dealt with the disturbance "in a way that was unnecessary."

The situation was "extremely tense" and there seemed to be a lot of police officers there, he added.

Mr Carter, representing three of those arrested at the scene, said they were concerned that some of their friends had been arrested for things they had not done.

"The newsagent's shop is near the bus stops and there were 100 or 150 kids waiting for buses to take them away home," he said. "Once the buses were able to get through and take them away, the situation quietened down."

The three youths, two aged 14 and the other 15, were ordered to an attendance centre for a total of 20 hours after pleading guilty to threatening behaviour.

Their parents were also bound over to make sure the youths behave themselves for the next 12 months.

A 16-year-old, who admitted a similar offence, was conditionally discharged for a year and ordered to pay £40 costs.

The case against another 16-year-old, accused of threatening behaviour and assaulting two police officers, was adjourned until next month to allow the prosecution to review the charges with the police.

Last month a 14-year-old who admitted disorderly conduct was fined £50 with £40 costs. His mother was bound over to make sure he behaves himself for 12 months.

None of the youths can be identified for legal reasons.

Rhodesway School's head teacher John Fowler said he felt the situation arose from what was originally only a minor incident.

He added that it took place half a mile from the school and not all the youths at the scene were pupils.

Mr Fowler said: "The police and staff together quickly calmed the situation but because the pupils couldn't go home since they were waiting for service buses, there did have to be a number of staff and police there for a long time before all the children could go home.

"The school and the police have been in lengthy discussions to look at better ways of getting young people back to the places where they live."

He said many of those pupils who were there were there for legitimate reasons and the vast majority behaved well.

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