Fire services said it was unsafe for them to attend the scene
There were shocking scenes in Leeds on Thursday night as violence broke out in the Harehills area of the city.
Police urged people in the area to stay at home as officers responded to an “ongoing disturbance” on Luxor Street at about 5pm.
Riots were sparked following an incident involving agency workers and children at a house. Police officers managed to remove the children and social workers from the scene, but the situation escalated as crowds gathered and became aggressive, the BBC reports.
This included objects being thrown at police, a double decker bus being torched and a police car being overturned.
Footage on social media also shows a number of fires being set along the street, whilst local community leaders could be seen trying to reason with people and stop the violence.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has said it was not safe for crews to attend the fires.
“After evaluating the situation and considering the potential danger to our fire crews, it was determined that it was not safe to put out the fires,” a spokesperson says.
“We want to assure the public that we were ready to respond promptly if lives or homes were in danger.”
In a statement in the early hours of Friday morning, West Yorkshire Police said the disorder was caused by “a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations”.
No injuries have been reported at this stage, they added.
The violence has been condemned by home secretary Yvette Cooper, who wrote on X: “I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & public transport in Leeds tonight. Disorder of this nature has no place in our society. My thanks go to West Yorkshire police for their response. I am being kept regularly updated.”
Meanwhile, local MP Richard Burgon said he had been in touch with residents about the “very serious incidents.”
He said: “They care passionately about their community. They want the disorder to end. They want those pushing misinformation from afar to stop.”
