Councilor calls for arrests over Leeds riot as locals fear more disorder

A councilor who acted as a “human shield” for police officers during a night of violent unrest in a Leeds suburb said there should “definitely” be arrests as residents said they feared it will happen again this weekend.

A bus was set on fire and a police car was overturned and residents were warned to stay at home on Thursday night, with a heavy police presence and helicopters deployed in the area.

A local restaurant owner said the chaos was related to local childcare, adding that some people in the community responded with fire and stone throwing.

Images on social media showed vehicles, including a burning bus and a police car crashed on the road, with blue lights flashing, sirens blaring, car alarms going off and crowds of people on the street – some of them shouting.

Four officers guarded the scene around a bus set on fire in Foundry Approach on Friday morning.

Some residents gathered to look at the damage, while a visibly emotional group of people believed to be connected to the original incident sat on a nearby patch of grass.

Green Party councilor for Gipton and Harehills, Mothin Ali, described the scenes as “absolute chaos” and called on the community to remain calm and pull together after the incident.

Speaking to reporters at the scene on Friday, he said: “The scene was absolute chaos. It was quite chaotic. We were trying to shelter the police, act as human shields for the police, because they were there without helmets, without shields, being pelted with bricks and bottles, so we were trying to calm people down and act as a protective barrier.”

Mr Ali said the local neighborhood policing team was “absolutely fantastic” and aimed “not to escalate things”, but it was the wrong decision for officers to stand down at the first incident.

“The idea was not to try to antagonize things, let things die out. In hindsight, we could criticize that, but at the time I make the decision, it’s hard,” he said.

“I don’t know who was responsible, but I’d like to talk to them.”

Mr Ali said the police “didn’t have the numbers and they didn’t have the support” during the unrest, adding that arrests should “definitely” be made.

“There were people who were legitimately angry, but there were also people who wanted to cause trouble,” he said.

“Legitimate anger is appropriate, but attacking a bus of innocent people is not.

“I just hope everyone stays calm. I just hope everyone remembers that we are a community. We have this mess on our streets that needs to be cleaned up, let’s unite, let’s unite.”

A man who has lived in the area for more than 20 years said he left his home around 7pm on Thursday to see people throwing bricks and stones at a police van.

Paul, who asked to be referred to only by his first name, said: “The police were trying to hold on but they had to get back into the van.”

He said he was worried because “I have kids and you don’t know how far people will take it.”

“The most shocking thing was when the bus went up – it was set on fire. There was a bang and everyone ran.

“I don’t like my kids around that. It’s just not right.

“It was just that incident and then I think everyone jumped on the bandwagon. I don’t think it was just one man, I think everyone thought it was an excuse to go to the police.”

Paul said he was worried there would be another night of disorder on Friday, adding: “I think it will start again because of the tension. That tension is still there.

“I think social media escalated it because everyone was filming on TikTok live.”

A woman, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency that she was walking home with a friend when she heard bangs coming from the bus that had been set on fire and began having a panic attack.

Her friend told PA: “I was scared they were going to come to our street, burn all the cars and maybe my house.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said police had her full support to “take the strongest possible action” against the rioters.

She said in a statement: “The scenes of crime and disorder in Leeds last night were disgraceful, including attacks on police vehicles and public transport, and will have been very distressing for local residents.

“Those responsible must face the full force of the law and West Yorkshire Police have my support in pursuing the perpetrators and taking the strongest possible action against them.

“Local partners are meeting this morning and the police, mayor and local councilors will be working closely with the community to provide support and reassurance and prevent further disruption.

“Where there are incidents of disorder or unrest in communities, everyone has a responsibility to support local agencies and residents working to resolve issues and prevent escalation. They have my support in their local work to provide a calm and firm response.”

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin condemned the “violent and thoughtless actions”, adding that “such criminal behavior will not be tolerated”.

She said in a statement: “I am absolutely appalled by the violent and thoughtless actions witnessed in Harehills last night.

“Such criminal behavior will not be tolerated and I am liaising with West Yorkshire Police for regular updates on the progress of their investigation.

“I would urge everyone to refrain from speculating on social media and if members of the public believe they have footage of criminal behaviour, I would ask that this be passed to the police.

“I am relieved that no-one was seriously injured in this incident – we will offer any support we can to the people of Harehills following the violence in their community.”

Riesa, a pharmacy distributor who did not want to give his last name, witnessed “quite violent” scenes, telling the PA he saw people throwing items at police and cars.

The 26-year-old, who lives off Harehills Lane, said: “They were attacking police cars, throwing things at police cars – anything they could pick up off the floor. Rocks in the garden, trash, drinks, anything.”

She later heard “singing and screaming” from outside, adding that it sounded like “a thousand people”.

“Looking out the window you can see people were attacking cars that were just at the traffic lights and trying to get past them but they didn’t turn around because I think they were quite scared because there were so many people .” she continued.

She could see “big black smoke coming out of the main road” as the rioters were “pulling bins out of people’s businesses or people’s houses and putting them in the middle of the road full of rubbish and just setting them on fire”.

Officers were called to an incident at 5pm on Thursday at an address in Luxor Street where they found an “ongoing disturbance” involving workers and children, police said.

Several people gathered and the agency employees and children were taken to a safe place.

Additional officers were requested to attend the area where “pockets of disorder” were occurring.

Police added that they would carry out a full investigation into “all offences… including fire damage to vehicles”.

“(All criminal offences) will be fully investigated by detectives from Leeds CID and the force’s homicide and major investigation team,” the force said.

A spokesman assured the public that those involved in the violence would be held accountable.