POLICE were called to Huddersfield Town Hall last night as families were barred from a meeting at which cuts to their relatives’ care was decided.

Dozens of carers and protestors were prevented from attending a public meeting of Kirklees Council to decide the budget for 2011/12.

Councillors voted overwhelmingly to slash spending by £31m next year – including huge reductions in care for vulnerable adults.

About 100 protestors, including people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, rallied outside the town hall at 4.30pm yesterday to urge councillors to oppose the cuts.

But council security guards prevented the campaigners from entering the town hall to attend the budget meeting.

Police were called and there was pushing and shoving in the foyer.

Kirklees leader Clr Mehboob Khan told councillors later that a female worker had been assaulted.

The Labour man said: “The same rabble who was making a lot of noise outside rushed into the reception area.

“They charged our members of staff. They attacked four members of staff and a female member of staff was punched in the face.

“That type of behaviour is condemned by all of us.”

But Ian Brooke of Kirklees Save Our Services said he was unaware of anyone being hit.

“There was pushing and shoving between protestors and security guards but I didn’t see a protestor throw a punch,” he sad.

“I think Mehboob Khan has got his wires crossed.

“No-one wants violence against security guards or police.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said last night that officers had gone to the town hall but there had been no reports of an assault and no arrests had been made.