UK race riots break out again

A British police officer responding to the nation's latest race riots, stands in front of a burning car in Leeds

LONDON, England -- Asian youths clashed with police overnight in Leeds as racial tensions boiled over in northern England for the second time in two weeks.

Several hundred youths in a predominantly Bangladeshi neighbourhood of the city hurled bricks at police and set a car and storefront alight. Residents said the outburst of anger followed the arrest of a local man on Sunday.

"They took this man, they arrested him, kicked him and sprayed gas at him in front of Asian people," one onlooker told Britain's Press Association.

Community leaders met with police representatives on Tuesday, but residents said the meeting failed to address their concerns.

"And that's why it started tonight," the onlooker said, declining to give his name. "It is not a racist attack, this is because of police inaction."

A police spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear what had led to the violence. He said police responded to reports of a disturbance in the evening and were confronted by about 50 people.

Riot police and dogs were called in after nightfall as the number of youths -- throwing bottles, bricks and rubble -- swelled to about 300, PA reported.

Similar riots flared in nearby Oldham for three nights late last month following weeks of simmering tensions between the city's South Asian and white youths. About 50 people were arrested as police struggled to restore order.

Oldham's Asian minority leaders blamed nationalist political groups for provoking the riots. The ultra-right-wing National Front accused Asian gangs of starting the violence, claiming they had declared "no-go areas" for whites.