Rioting broke out in the Harehills area of Leeds on Thursday night, leading to a police car being overturned and a fire being set. Hundreds of people were seen on the streets as West Yorkshire Police warned of “pockets of disorder”.
By Kieren Williams, journalist
Thursday 18 July 2024 22:42, United Kingdom
A police car was overturned on its side as unrest and disorder broke out in Leeds.
Crowds of hundreds gathered in the Harehills area, with police saying they were dealing with an “ongoing situation” which appears to have seen at least one fire lit and riot police later on the scene.
City councilor Salma Arif asked people to stay home in what police described as “pockets of disorder.”
Footage broadcast live on social media appeared to show vehicles on fire, including a bus, but police said no injuries were reported.
At 5 p.m., on Luxor Street, police responded to a “disturbance” involving temporary workers and “some children.”
West Yorkshire Police said crowds began to gather and a decision was made to take the agency workers and children “to a safe location”.
However, the situation seems to have degenerated into the disorder observed later.
Footage from the scene shows a fire being lit in the middle of a street as crowds of hundreds of people gathered.
Barriers have been set up along the street where the disorder appears to be concentrated, and videos on social media also show what appears to be a police drone in the air and people throwing objects.
Other footage on social media appears to show a number of people also trying to set fire to a bus that was abandoned.
Later, around 10pm, riot police could be seen arriving at the scene as the crowd began to disperse in places.
Local MP Richard Burgon: “I am on my way back to Leeds from Parliament and have been in contact with police and concerned residents about the ongoing incident in Harehills.
“Police say no injuries have been reported but are advising people to avoid the area for the time being if possible.”
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