POLICE have launched an appeal and recorded a crime of arson after a fire extensively damaged a double-decker bus today (Thursday).

At 1.39pm today, police received a report of a fire on the top deck of a double-decker bus that had been travelling on Strathmore Drive, Harehills, Leeds.

Firefighters attended and put out the fire which caused extensive damage to the bus.

A VW Golf parked in the street was also damaged by the fire. Passengers and the driver had left the bus safely and no-one was injured.

Police reported that two youths were seen acting suspiciously and got off the bus just before the fire was discovered. The incident is being treated as arson.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference number 13230649866 or online at westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team have been made aware of the incident and are carrying out increased patrols of the area to reassure residents.