Summary:

Police officers in Leeds were attacked with bricks and missiles while responding to a child protection issue, leading to several arrests. The chaos, which included vehicles being set on fire, stemmed from hostility towards social workers and escalated into a riot.

Incident Overview:

West Yorkshire Police reported that officers were "attacked" when called to assist with a child protection matter that triggered a riot in Leeds on Friday. The disturbance led to several arrests as vehicles were set on fire and stones were thrown at officers in the Harehills area.

Around 5 pm on Thursday, officers responded to a call from Children’s Social Care, whose social workers faced hostility while addressing a child protection issue. The police were called in to support the social workers and ensure their safety. According to the police, responding officers were attacked while helping Children’s Social Care staff withdraw to a secure location.

As the situation worsened, property damage ensued, and multiple fires were ignited. Specialist public order officers dispatched to the scene faced a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large group, prompting a decision to temporarily withdraw as it was clear the police were the primary target. This withdrawal allowed for further community mediation to calm the situation.

Police later returned with fire services to extinguish the remaining fires, which were contained and posed no wider risk. By then, the crowd had diminished, and order was restored. Several arrests were made, and more are anticipated in the coming days. The force’s Major Enquiry Team has launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV and social media footage to identify all involved, pledging to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice.

Statements and Reactions:

Tom Riordan, who has led the council since 2010, attributed the rampage to a misinterpretation of the incident involving social services and police. He told BBC Radio 4: “The situation has calmed down, and the cleanup has begun. The initial family incident caused concern among the community, which escalated into disorder. Our services, rated outstanding, intervene when children are at risk. This incident was likely misinterpreted.”

Riordan emphasized that such disorder is shocking and uncharacteristic for the city, stressing that it was caused by a significant but small minority who need to face the full force of the law.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the "shocking scenes and attacks" in east Leeds, where a large police presence, including helicopters, was deployed on Thursday evening. Cooper described the events as disgraceful and distressing for residents, vowing full support for the police in pursuing those responsible and taking strong action against them. She called for community cooperation to support local agencies and prevent further unrest.

Witness Account: Riesa, a 26-year-old pharmacy dispenser living off Harehills Lane, described the scenes as "quite violent." She saw people throwing various items at police cars and officers. “They were throwing anything they could pick up—rocks, rubbish, drinks—at the police cars. The police tried to keep their distance due to the violence.”

Later, she heard "chanting and screaming" from outside her home, sounding like "a thousand people." She observed people attacking cars at traffic lights, creating a scene of fear and chaos. "A few minutes after that, I saw thick black smoke coming from the main road."

No Injuries Reported: As of 8:15 pm on Thursday, West Yorkshire Police reported no injuries. Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, expressed relief that there were no serious injuries and urged those inciting community tensions to reconsider their actions. She thanked emergency services for their response.

Crowd and Police Response: As more people gathered, agency workers and children were moved to safety. Additional officers were called in to manage emerging "pockets of disorder." Salma Arif, councillor for Gipton and Harehills, advised residents to stay home in a social media video featuring an East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Inspector.

 

The incident highlights the importance of clear communication and strong community relations to prevent and manage public disorder effectively.

Tags: leeds