500 youths fight pitched battle with police

Riot police have fought pitched battles with hundreds of Asian youths in the Glodwick area of Oldham, Manchester.

At the height of the clashes, around 500 Asian youths armed with petrol bombs and bricks attacked a pub, torched cars and fought with hundreds of officers in riot gear.

Chief Supt Eric Hewitt said he was shocked by the "ferocity and sheer carnage" of the rioting, which raged for seven hours.

Fifteen officers suffered minor injuries in the trouble and 17 people were arrested for public order offences.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said police believe the violence was sparked after a gang of white youths attacked houses belonging to Asians.

Four people were arrested in connection with that attack.

Soon after, a gang of around 100 Asian youths twice attacked the Live And Let Live pub in the mainly Asian Glodwick area with petrol bombs and bricks.

A line of seven damaged cars stood outside the pub, all with broken windows and one red Vauxhall Corsa burnt out.

The situation deteriorated into a pitched battle between 200 riot police and some 500 Asian youths.

Police said four shots were fired and a handgun, later revealed to be blank-firing, was recovered.