Violent riots have erupted in the Harehills area of Leeds tonight, prompting responses from high-level government officials and local representatives.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her dismay at the unfolding events, stating she was “appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & public transport in Leeds tonight.” This statement underscores the severity of the situation and suggests that Police personnel and public transportation have been targeted during the unrest.
Leeds descended into chaos on Thursday night as a bus was set ablaze and a police car was overturned during a mass riot in the Harehills area. Hundreds of people gathered, leading to an “ongoing situation” that required riot police to be deployed to the scene.
Scenes of Unrest
The violence began around 5 pm when officers responded to a “disturbance” on Luxor Street involving agency workers and children. West Yorkshire Police reported that as crowds began to gather, a decision was made to remove the agency workers and children “to a safe place.” However, the situation quickly escalated, resulting in widespread disorder.
Social media footage showed vehicles, including a bus, engulfed in flames, and a police car being flipped over. No injuries have been reported so far.
Official Responses
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her shock, stating she was “appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & public transport in Leeds tonight.” Councillor Salma Arif also urged residents to stay at home to avoid the chaos.
Local MP Richard Burgon, who was on his way back to Leeds from Parliament, communicated his concern and urged people to avoid the area. “The police say no injuries have been reported but are advising people to avoid the area at the moment if possible,” Burgon said.
Images and Footage
Images from the scene reveal the extent of the disorder, with one fire burning in the middle of a street as hundreds of people gathered. Videos on social media also showed a police drone monitoring the area and individuals throwing objects. Some footage depicted people attempting to set fire to a bus.
As the situation worsened, barriers were set up along the street where the disorder was concentrated. By 10 pm, riot police had arrived, and the crowd began to disperse in some areas.
Police Statement
West Yorkshire Police released a statement detailing the events: “At 5 pm today (Thursday), police were called to an ongoing incident at an address in Luxor Street, Harehills. Officers attended and found an ongoing disturbance which involved some agency workers and some children. More people started to attend the location, and a decision was made to remove the agency workers and the children to a safe place.
“A crowd started to gather, and more officers were requested to attend the area, where some pockets of disorder were occurring. More officers have been deployed to the area to assist with the management of this incident. Some road closures are also being implemented, and people are advised to avoid the area at this time. No injuries have been reported, and enquiries are ongoing at the scene.”
Community Impact
The unrest has significantly impacted the local community, with barriers erected and roads closed, causing disruption and fear among residents. Authorities are working to restore order and ensure the safety of all individuals in the area.
