UK Leeds Riots News: Unrest spread in the British city of Leeds on Thursday evening. Rioters set a bus on fire and attacked a police car, breaking its windows and overturning the vehicle. Viral footage showed people throwing things at the police vehicle.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper condemned the violence, saying, ‘There is no place in our society for this kind of disorder.’ West Yorkshire Police described the incident as ‘serious violence’.
Large number of police deployed
Hundreds of people gathered in the area till late evening, with garbage and other debris scattered on the streets. Many roads have been closed and people have been advised not to go to the violence-hit area.
A large number of police were deployed after Thursday’s violence in Harehills, Leeds.
According to the BBC, no one was reported injured in the violence.
Leeds East MP Richard Burgon said on Thursday, ‘I am on my way back to Leeds from Parliament and am in contact with the police and concerned residents about the ongoing incident in Harehills.’
‘An attempt to spoil community relations’
West Yorkshire Police said in a statement, ‘A large number of public order officers have been deployed at the scene, which is still ongoing.
The statement further said, ‘We appeal to residents to refrain from speculating about the reasons for this disorder. We believe that this disturbance has been instigated by some criminal elements with the intention of spoiling community relations.
Why did the violence happen?
According to Sky News report, a restaurant owner said that a local child was being taken to child care, which was opposed.
According to The Guardian, police said they were called to an address on Luxor Street at 5pm on Thursday to reports of a “disturbance” involving agency staff and children.
A police spokesperson said, “A large number of people started gathering at the spot, after which it was decided to move the agency staff and children to a safe place. More police were called to the spot,” the BBC reported.
‘They were attacking police vehicles’
Reesa, who lives near a pharmacy dispenser and Halehills Lane, said, “They were attacking police vehicles, throwing things at police vehicles – anything they could pick up from the ground. Stones from the garden, rubbish, drinks, anything,” according to The Guardian. She said people stopped a bus and started throwing things at it.
Police said “all offences… including damaging vehicles with fire will be fully investigated and strict legal action will be taken against those responsible.”
