Seven members of a Bradford language club have been mugged, robbed and assaulted on a centenary trip to Madrid.

One member of the Bradford Circle For Foreign Languages was knocked to the ground and had her handbag stolen and another woman was kicked and dragged along the street.

Members of the group, which organised the week's visit to celebrate its 100th birthday, said they refused to let the thieves ruin their holiday.

"We couldn't believe it when seven out of 26 members were attacked and robbed," said Barbara Rix, president of the Spanish section of the club which organised the trip.

"You sometimes get pickpocketed in a capital city but you don't expect people to be physically attacked.

"Three of our members were walking back from a meal one night when they were targeted.

"One man was pushed to the ground, the woman was kicked and the other one was dragged along the ground, but she refused to give up her handbag to the thief.

"They were all very shaken and the woman had cuts and bruises although she didn't need hospital treatment. Her suit was all ripped and her shoes were scuffed.

"It took the edge off everything for all of us. What should have been a really special celebration trip was marred."

Another member of the group had her purse stolen from her handbag, one caught a thief with his hand inside her bag and Mrs Rix felt a thief's hand in her coat looking for a bag.

The group reported the incidents to the police in Madrid but were told there was nothing the police could do.

"They were very blas about the whole thing and it seemed to be a common occurrence," said Mrs Rix, who returned last week from the trip.

"It's not as if we were taking risks. We all speak Spanish and were sticking to the main streets.

"Luckily I managed to stop the thief before he got hold of my purse but others weren't so lucky and had money stolen.

"We were all distressed by the incidents but we tried not to let it spoil the holiday and we enjoyed ourselves."

Some of the group stayed in Madrid for a week and others for a long weekend.

One member of the group, who didn't want to be named, was with her friend in the Grand Via last Sunday afternoon when she was attacked by a mugger.

She said: "We were very shocked and it took away our confidence for the rest of the holiday."

A spokesman for the Spanish Embassy said: "The level of crime in Madrid is no worse than in any other major European city."

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