Labour activists campaigning ahead of the Batley and Spen by-election have been pelted with eggs and kicked in the head, the region's mayor has said.
Tracy Brabin said she was leafleting for Labour in Batley on Sunday, when her group was "followed, verbally abused and physically assaulted".
The West Yorkshire mayor and former Batley and Spen MP said campaigners included young people and the elderly.
West Yorkshire Police said it was investigating the incident.
Ms Brabin - who also holds the police and crime commissioner responsibility for the region - praised officers for their swift response.
She said: "The group I was with included young people and the elderly. I witnessed them being egged, pushed and forced to the ground and kicked in the head.
"We know why tensions are rising in our streets. Those who want to sow division are not welcome in our community.
"The actions of these people do not represent the Batley and Spen I know. We are kinder than this."
Speaking on a visit to Batley, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I think it's appalling that people should face abuse of that kind, absolutely appalling."
Sunday's incident comes after Labour candidate Kim Leadbeater - the sister of former MP Jo Cox who was murdered in the constituency in 2016 - was shouted at in the street by a man while campaigning on Friday.
In a video circulated online, he raises his voice at her, then as she leaves she is pursued by a group to a car.
Halifax Labour MP Holly Lynch, who has also been campaigning in the constituency, added: "There has been a series of increasingly serious and violent attacks in recent days and this is absolutely unacceptable.
"Lawless thugs are seeking to intimidate and attack those involved in the proper democratic process."
Police attended a demonstration in Batley on Saturday, in which about 400 people took part and passed off "largely without incident".
Three arrests were made - two for public order offences and a man was also arrested for possession of an offensive weapon.
Thursday's by-election was triggered when Ms Brabin stood down following her election as West Yorkshire's mayor.
These are the candidates (listed alphabetically by surname):
- Paul Bickerdike - Christian Peoples Alliance
- Mike Davies - Alliance For Green Socialism
- Jayda Fransen - Independent
- George Galloway - Workers Party
- Tom Gordon - Liberal Democrats
- Thérèse Hirst - English Democrats
- Howling Laud Hope - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
- Susan Laird - Heritage Party
- Kim Leadbeater - Labour Party
- Oliver Purser - Social Democratic Party
- Corey Robinson - Yorkshire Party
- Andrew Smith - Rejoin EU
- Ryan Stephenson - Conservative Party
- Jack Thomson - UK Independence Party
- Jonathan Tilt - Freedom Alliance
- Anne Marie Waters - The For Britain Movement
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2021-06-28 12:25:43Z
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