Violent riots broke out in the Harehills area of Leeds, UK, on Thursday evening, July 18, 2024. What began as a police response to a child protection issue quickly escalated into widespread disorder, shocking residents and officials alike.
Key Events:
♦ A double-decker bus was set on fire.
♦ A police car was overturned.
♦ Rioters threw bricks and other objects at police.
♦ Several fires were started in the streets.
Chronology of the Unrest:
The disorder began around 5 PM when police were called to investigate a disturbance involving children and agency workers on Luxor Street. As the situation escalated, crowds gathered, and violence erupted.
Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs explained:
"Police then returned to the area with fire colleagues to extinguish the remaining fires, which were self-contained and didn't pose a wider risk. By this point, the crowd had diminished, and officers were able to fully restore order."
Police Response:
West Yorkshire Police called the incident a "serious disorder" and deployed additional officers to control the situation. They temporarily withdrew when faced with heavy attacks from the crowd.
ACC Twiggs stated: "Specialist public order officers who were assisting social services came under a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large group, and a decision was taken to withdraw these officers temporarily as it was evident that the police was their sole target."
Arrests and Investigation:
- Five people have been arrested so far.
- Police warn more arrests will follow.
- Authorities are reviewing social media footage to identify offenders.
West Yorkshire Police announced: "Throughout the night several arrests were made in relation to the disorder and further arrests will be made over the next few days."
Community Reaction:
Local officials and community leaders have called for calm. Leeds City Council has agreed to review the "family matter" that sparked the initial police response.
Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan said:
"There was a family incident earlier in the day that police and our officials attended that the local community got concerned about and that appeared to be the trigger of concern for the groups of people... we always intervene where we need to when children are at risk. It was an incident that was probably misinterpreted, I would say."
Political Response:
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the violence, stating:
"Many people will have seen on social media some of the really shocking scenes of audacious criminality, and that's why it's really important that those individuals face the full force of the law."
Eyewitness Accounts:
Paul, a local resident for over 20 years, described the scene: "The most shocking thing was when the bus went up – got set on fire. There was a bang and everybody ran. I don't like my kids being around this. It's just not right."
Heroic Actions:
Mothin Ali, a Green Party councillor for Gipton and Harehills ward, attempted to calm the situation. He was seen "kicking away a wheelie bin being dragged towards a fire by two young people" and "stopping another adult from throwing a wooden pallet onto the fire."
Aftermath and Clean-up:
While there were no serious injuries reported, the riots caused significant property damage. Clean-up efforts began the following day as the community grappled with the impact of the violence.
Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan stated: "It has quietened, it is calm. We have already started the clean up on the ground."
Ongoing Investigation:
The exact cause of the riots remains under investigation. Police have urged the public not to speculate and to share any relevant information or footage with authorities.
West Yorkshire Police stated: "We would strongly discourage residents from speculating on the cause of this disorder which we believe has been instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations."
Community Impact:
The riots have left the Harehills community shaken. Local leaders are working to restore calm and address underlying issues that may have contributed to the unrest.
Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "I am relieved that nobody was seriously hurt in this incident – we will provide any support we can to the people of Harehills following the violence perpetrated in their community."
As investigations continue and the community begins to recover, questions remain about how a single incident escalated into such widespread disorder, and what steps can be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Inputs from Multiple Agencies
Media from multiple sources
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