Leeds Harehills Riots: Shocking scenes as bus burned and police car flipped amid massive protest

Government and Community Reactions:

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the violence, stating, “Disorder of this nature has no place in our society.” Bystanders reported that community members reacted by setting fires and throwing stones.

Police Actions:

Yorkshire police reported that agency workers and children were moved to safety upon their arrival. Although no uniformed officers were seen at the main disturbance site after 9 pm, a police helicopter monitored the situation. The police assured a thorough investigation into the criminal activities, including property damage, and pledged to hold those responsible accountable. “We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible,” they stated.

Mayor’s Statement:

The mayor of West Yorkshire reassured the public that there were no serious injuries and urged against using the incident to inflame community tensions.

Bus Fire and Road Closures:

Earlier in the evening, a bus was set on fire on Foundry Approach, creating thick black smoke. Local residents tried to extinguish the flames with water from their homes. As the crowd grew, West Yorkshire police deployed more officers and announced road closures, advising people to avoid the area. A First Bus spokesperson confirmed that two vehicles were involved but no injuries were reported.

Ongoing Tensions:

Another fire was maintained at a road junction on Harehills Lane with continuous debris throwing. Witnesses observed police retreating earlier to de-escalate tensions. Councillor Salma Arif released a video urging residents to stay at home and confirmed police awareness of the situation. “There is an ongoing situation currently in Harehills, we’re aware of that so police is here. We are asking everybody in the area to please stay at home at this moment in time,” she said.

Community Response:

Local residents provided shelter and drinks to those on the street, expressing shock at the events. Some residents voiced frustration over the lack of a visible police presence, though it seemed to have helped in de-escalating the situation.