Violence erupts in UK city of Leeds as rioters throw bus, overturning police car

Riots broke out in Leeds on Thursday night when rioters set fire to a double-decker bus and overturned a police car.

Footage on social media showed the crowd attacking the police vehicle, using a trolley, stones and bicycles to smash its windows before flipping it on its side.

The violence also saw hundreds of residents clash with law enforcement, throwing stones and bricks at police vehicles.

In viral videos circulating on social media platform ‘X’, one video allegedly showed a man setting fire to a bus, while another captured young children participating in the riot.

In another video, people are seen running towards a fire in the middle of the road with a large fridge, which they threw into the fire to the cheers of onlookers.

Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Police said on Friday that no injuries had been reported so far. “A large number of law enforcement officers have been dispatched to the location in what remains an ongoing incident,” police said.

What started the unrest?

Conformable telegraph report, the unrest began after social services removed four children from one family. The disturbance began around 5pm on Thursday when police responded to a disturbance call on Luxor Street. Authorities reported that officers and agency workers safely removed the children before violence escalated throughout the evening.

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Speaking to the publication, a local who claimed to know the family said the riot initially started as a protest against the removal of the children.

According to the local, the unrest was triggered by an incident involving a baby who was accidentally injured by a brother some time ago. The parents took the child to hospital for a check-up, but were shocked when the hospital reported the case to social services. Later, social workers removed the four children from the family without giving a clear reason.

“They couldn’t believe it when the hospital called social services. After all this time, social workers then took the four children into care. They did not give a reason to the family. They just said it’s for good,” said the local.

“Serious public order incident”: Police

In an official press release, West Yorkshire Police said they were treating the disturbance in the Harehills area of ​​the city as a “serious public order incident”.

“We would strongly discourage residents from speculating as to the cause of this disturbance which we believe was instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations. “Officers are aware of incorrect information circulating on social media suggesting individuals potentially responsible,” police said.

Expressing her concern about the incident in a post on ‘X’ on Friday, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote: “I am appalled by the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles and public transport in Leeds tonight . Disorder of this nature does not occur in our society.”

“My thanks go to West Yorkshire Police for their response. I am updated regularly,” she added.

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Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East, in a post on X, wrote: “I am back in Leeds from Parliament and have been in touch with the police and residents concerned about the incident unfolding in Harehills.”

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “I’m sure no-one was seriously injured but I suggest those who use this to inflame community tensions think again.”

Speaking to the publication, a local who claimed to know the family said the riot initially started as a protest against the removal of the children.

According to the local, the unrest was triggered by an incident involving a baby who was accidentally injured by a brother some time ago. The parents took the child to hospital for a check-up, but were shocked when the hospital reported the case to social services. Later, social workers removed the four children from the family without giving a clear reason.

“They couldn’t believe it when the hospital called social services. After all this time, social workers then took the four children into care. They did not give a reason to the family. They just said it’s for good,” said the local.

“Serious public order incident”: Police

In an official press release, West Yorkshire Police said they were treating the disturbance in the Harehills area of ​​the city as a “serious public order incident”.

“We would strongly discourage residents from speculating as to the cause of this disturbance which we believe was instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations. “Officers are aware of incorrect information circulating on social media suggesting individuals potentially responsible,” police said.

Expressing her concern about the incident in a post on ‘X’ on Friday, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote: “I am appalled by the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles and public transport in Leeds tonight . Disorder of this nature does not occur in our society.”

“My thanks go to West Yorkshire Police for their response. I am regularly updated,” she added.

Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East, in a post on X, wrote: “I am back in Leeds from Parliament and have been in touch with the police and residents concerned about the incident unfolding in Harehills.”

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “I’m sure no-one was seriously injured but I suggest those who use this to inflame community tensions think again.”