.Astonishing video taken at the Bangladeshi Community Centre yesterday
- .Fight said to be between two rival factions who want control of the venue
- .Police officers who try to calm the angry crowd are caught up in violence
- .At least four people said to have been injured while several were arrested
- .The clip has caused outrage since seeing being uploaded to social media
It may look like a tavern brawl in a Wild West movie - but these were the shockingly violent scenes at a community centre meeting in Leeds yesterday.
Astonishing footage captures an angry mob hurling chairs, swinging makeshift weapons, throwing punches and fighting with police officers attempting to calm the angry crowd.
The video, captured on a mobile phone, was taken in the Bangladeshi Community Centre, next door to a mosque, and has caused uproar since surfacing on Facebook and YouTube.
The fight was said to be over rival political factions who are both desperate for control of the centre.
In another video uploaded to YouTube a community police officer is seen punching a man in the face - sending him reeling backwards.
Violent chaos: Footage has surfaced online capturing shockingly violent scenes at the Bangladeshi Community Centre in Leeds yesterday
Shocking: A police officer at the scene punches a man in the head during the out-of-control situation in Leeds
In the shameful clip, one man is seen cowering against a wall pulling a blood-stained hand away from his head after being struck with a weapon.
Other heavily outnumbered police officers at the scene are tugged around while caught up in the chaotic violence
One fighter appears to have lost his shirt in the scrum but continues to brawl as chairs fly around him and the building's fire alarm begins to sound.
One witness, who filmed part of the incident, described the chaos, saying it 'was like something you'd see on TV'.
The man, who does not wish to be named, said he had been told there was a mini-riot going on in the community centre so went in to investigate as he was passing by.
He said: 'There was about 80 or 90 people in the room and around 40 to 50 of them were fighting. I was only there for a few minutes and saw people with grazes and blood on their arms.
'Seeing the police officer throwing the punch was quite shocking but they were completely outnumbered.
'They went to try to calm things down and ended up being attacked as well so the fact that they retaliated is understandable.
'The fight was between two parties with a different school of thought who want to run the centre.'
Several injured: In the shameful clip, one man is seen cowering against a wall pulling a blood-stained hand away from his head after being struck with a weapon, while others brandish sticks
Hurls chair: A man prepares to toss a chair into the crowd in scenes resembling a Wild West tavern brawl
According to the Yorkshire Standard, four people were injured and a number of others were arrested following the mass brawl.
A statement from local police to news website breitbart.com said: 'Officers were called to the Bangladeshi Centre, Roundhay Road in Leeds around 12.30pm following reports of a disturbance where it is believed four people have been injured.
'A number of arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing as to the circumstances of the incident. Increased Neighbourhood Patrols will be in the area to reassure the local community.'
Along with the video, a message was posted to Facebook reading: 'DISGUSTING SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.
Aftermath: Police eventually appeared to get the crowd under control as they formed a line with piles of chairs stacked up behind them. Several arrests were made
'This is what happens, when people start taking sides rather them be civilised... Many injured and in hospital.
'This is nothing to do with Islam, the exact opposite. Judge Islam by reading the Qur'an, don't look at these idiotic actions to judge the faith.'
More than 100,000 people have watched the violent incident online - and it has been condemned by a local Labour councillor.
Shocked: Local Labour councillor Arif Hussain
Arif Hussain, who represents the Harehills area for Leeds City Council, claims the row broke out during the centre's AGM between two rival factions who both want to take charge.
He told Mirror Online: 'I'm shocked. It's completely unacceptable. There are 802 members and it's up to them to decide who they want to run the centre, just like for an MP or a councillor.
'It all started a long time ago. There's one group saying they have one support from the Bangladeshi community and the other group saying "we should be running the centre".
'It's not great for the community, it's not great for the area, it's not great for the city.'
Several police cars were called to scene and detectives said inquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances.
The Bangladeshi Community Centre is used as a congregating point for Palestinian activists, Labour Party officials, and the Islamic Relief charity, which has held a number of events in the building.
Labour councillor Asghar Khan has repeatedly been pictured at the venue. The community centre has so far been unavailable for comment.
It is not the first time an altercation has occurred at the venue. In 2013, the Yorkshire Post reporteda fight on the morning of Eid celebrations.
On that occasion, there were no injuries reported.
Community meeting point: The Bangladeshi Community Centre is in the Harehills area of Leeds and has been used as a congregating point for Palestinian activists, Labour Party officials, and the Islamic Relief charity
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