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Police have so far made five arrests and charged another man over major disorder in a Leeds suburb, prompting the council to undertake an “urgent review”.
West Yorkshire Police battled a “serious disorder incident” in Harehills as officers faced a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large crowd that had gathered in the street on Thursday evening.
Images on social media showed vehicles, including a double-decker bus, on fire while other videos showed a police car overturned on the road with its lights flashing.
Iustin Dobre, 37, of Clifton Mount, Harehills, was charged on Saturday with arson and violent disorder. The other five people arrested on suspicion of violent disorder remain in custody.
Police said they were called following a report that social workers had encountered “hostility” while dealing with a child protection matter.
After meeting with representatives of the Roma community on Friday, Leeds City Council agreed to undertake an “urgent review” into the “family matter”.
Are you there or want to tell us how it has impacted you? Email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk
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Tara CobhamJuly 21, 2024 08:34
Man charged with arson and violent disorder after disturbances in Harehills
A man has been charged with arson and violent disorder after serious disturbances in a Leeds suburb.
Iustin Dobre, 37, of Clifton Mount, Harehills, has been charged after a bus was set alight during riots in Harehills, Leeds, on Thursday night, West Yorkshire Police said.
He was charged with violent disorder and arson with recklessness endangering life.
Tara CobhamJuly 21, 2024 07:28
Woman released after car ‘deliberately set on fire’ with children inside in separate incident
A woman has been released on bail “pending further enquiries” after a car was “deliberately set alight” while two children were still inside, police said in a separate update.
The incident happened at around 10.52pm on Thursday in Tong Way, Leeds, but it is not known whether it was linked to the unrest in the city that night.
West Yorkshire Police said a woman reported her car had been deliberately set on fire while her two children were still in the vehicle.
She and a neighbor took the children to safety and were examined by ambulance personnel without any problems, police said.
A 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident and has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Alexander ButlerJuly 21, 2024 07:00
Resident describes how ‘scary’ and ‘worrying’ it was when riots broke out
A resident has described how “scary” and “worrying” it was when riots broke out in a Leeds suburb on Thursday.
Naseem Ashfaq said The Independent: “I don’t live very far from where this happened. [on] Thursday. It was very scary and frightening for me. I am over 60 years old. [I] I have never experienced anything like this before.
“It’s lucky I don’t have young children. Can you imagine what that would have meant to them?
“It was really scary to wonder what was going to happen next. Is it going to get worse? And how far is it going to go? It’s so worrying.”
Alexander ButlerJuly 21, 2024 05:00
What triggered this night of violent unrest?
Alexander ButlerJuly 21, 2024 04:00
Video: Flames engulf double-decker bus after rioting in Leeds with hundreds on the streets
Alexander ButlerJuly 21, 2024 03:00
Video: Hundreds outnumber police as riots break out in Harehills
Alexander ButlerJuly 21, 2024 02:00
Everything we know as police open investigation into violence
Alexander ButlerJuly 21, 2024 01:00
Video: Councillor who tried to stop Leeds rioters speaks out after violence
Alexander ButlerJuly 20, 2024 11:00 p.m.
Police make arrests as they defend decision to withdraw officers during Harehills unrest
West Yorkshire Police have made five arrests following riots in Leeds on Thursday night – and the force has defended its decision to withdraw officers in the face of hostile crowds.
Violence erupted in the Harehills area of Leeds on Thursday night, with shocking videos showing a police car being overturned and a double-decker bus being set alight.
Police said the riots broke out as officers responded to reports that social workers had faced hostility when dealing with a child protection issue.
Alexander ButlerJuly 20, 2024 10:00 PM
