The footage, which appears on video website YouTube, shows a youth clinging to the back of a car chanting obscene language as it is driven through Bradford.

Entitled "Leeds Road, Bradford" the footage appears to have been filmed through the back of the car.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) warned that people have been killed and seriously injured through the activity.

A 19-year-old woman was last week was sentenced to nine months in a young offenders' institution for causing the death of a teenager in a "car surfing" incident in Warwickshire.

Andrew Travers suffered head injuries when he fell from the roof of a car driven by Emma Kimberley last June.

Kimberley admitted causing death by dangerous driving at Warwick Crown Court and was also disqualified from driving for three years

A RoSPA spokesman said: "The people involved might think it is 'just a bit of fun' and they themselves might not be injured - although that always remains possible if they fall from the car and end up under another vehicle which we have seen in the past.

"Even if they are not hurt, the distraction which might be caused to the driver is such that they are involved in an another accident in which an innocent person may be injured.

"Cars are not designed to be used for this purpose and the driver is likely to be committing an offence."

Bradford Moor ward councillor Riaz Ahmed described the activity as "absolute madness".

"It is dangerous and could cause copy-cat behaviour by younger people. It is certainly not something that's recommended from a safety point of view. It should not be shown on internet sites. It is setting a bad example, especially for young people who are easily influenced."