Leeds: Home Secretary Yvette Cooper visits city after unrest

The Home Secretary described the violent disorder that broke out on the streets of Leeds as “bold criminality”.

Five people were arrested after trouble broke out in the Harehills area on Thursday when officers responded to a child protection issue.

Videos on social media showed crowds of people in the streets, and a bus was later set on fire and a police car overturned.

Speaking at the city’s Elland Road police station, Yvette Cooper said those responsible should feel the “full force of the law” for what she described as “bold crime”.

Mrs Cooper said: “I have spoken to officers from West Yorkshire Police and also to local community leaders about the actions they are taking in response to these unacceptable scenes of disorder and crime which we saw last night.

“A lot of people will have seen on social media some of the really shocking scenes of bold crime and that’s why it’s really important that these individuals face the full force of the law and that’s one of the issues that the police spoke to me about in this evening. “

Asked about the footage circulating online, which appeared to show police officers dragging a child from a house, and the anger in the community, Ms Cooper said: “Well, I think what we saw last night was the crime scenes with the burning bus . , with the attack on police cars.

“And we’ve also seen some issues with misinformation about the police having to respond to a complex child protection incident.”

West Yorkshire Police said officers were called to the area at around 5pm BST on Thursday after social workers reported being met with hostility when dealing with a child protection issue.

At the scene, officers were attacked themselves while helping social welfare staff to secure themselves.

The force said “pockets of disorder” erupted in the aftermath, with images shared online showing a police vehicle being attacked and later rolled on its side.

As the unrest escalated, large crowds gathered on nearby Harehills Road and several fires were set.

Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said officers were working at a “significant pace” to identify and apprehend those responsible.

He said there would be an increased police presence in the area over the next few days and urged people with information to come forward.

“I would urge anyone with information about those involved in the disturbance to contact our officers,” he said.

“Equally, to those responsible for the crime seen in Harehills, our investigation will be relentless and I urge you to do the right thing and hand yourself in to the police while you have the opportunity to do so.

“I am also sending the same message to the parents of those young people involved, to contact the police now.”

Meanwhile, Leeds City Council has vowed to carry out an “urgent review” of the incident which is said to have sparked Thursday’s disturbance.

In a joint statement issued on behalf of the authority and the Roma and Romanian community, it said: “The Council agreed to undertake an urgent review of the case and to collaborate with Romanian and Roma-led organisations, churches and the Honorary Consulate of Romania and other family representatives for the best interests of the family and the wider Roma community.”

They went on to appeal for “all communities to remain calm” to avoid a repeat of Thursday’s “troubling scenes”.

The statement said: “Local people are devastated by what happened and we want to make sure there is no repeat of the distressing scenes we have seen.

“Such actions will have a long-lasting and damaging impact on our community.”