Leeds riot: Bus set on fire and police car overturned in Harehills

Huge unruly crowds have gathered on the streets, vehicles have been set on fire and police cars have been attacked, with one rolled onto its roof.  

Many children, possibly as young as 12 and 13, appeared to be taking part in the violence, notably an incident where a police car came under persistent attack from dozens of people.

Tonight, Ms Cooper, facing her first major challenge in her new role as Home Secretary, said: "I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles and 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."

A bus was set on fire in Harehills (Image: SWNS)

Fellow Labour politician Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, has also spoken out to thank emergency services, adding: “I’m reassured no-one has been seriously injured but suggest those who are using this to inflame community tensions to think again.”

Local residents have been warned to stay at home amid the ongoing disorder.

There is a “large” police presence in the area – but no injuries have yet been reported, West Yorkshire Police said.

It is understood that West Yorkshire Police have requested support from police forces in Northumbria, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

Livestream footage on social media shows vehicles on fire, including a bus. One video showed the windows on the First double decker being smashed before males leant through the windows and ignited flammable materials.

Utter carnage in Leeds and a night of shame for Harehills (Image: SWNS)

Videos have also been posted showing an overturned police car on the road with its blue lights flashing, sirens blaring, car alarms going off and crowds of people in the street – some of them shouting.

Footage has surfaced of police riot vans being showered with bricks and rubble.

The owner of a restaurant in Harehills said the disorder was linked to local children being taken into care, adding that some people in the community have responded by setting fires and “throwing stones”.

One eyewitness said of the scene: "It was surreal. Rocks getting launched, bottles thrown, kids in balaclavas everywhere charging with bins.

"Furniture was thrown on to the bus that's been set ablaze to keep it burning. It's just carnage."

Another eyewitness, who saw the bus go up in flames, said he had “never seen anything like it”.

He added: “‘I can feel the heat off the bus that is on fire from 40 yards away."

Officers were called to an incident at an address in Luxor Street at 5pm on Thursday where they found an “ongoing disturbance” involving agency workers and children.

More people started to attend the location and the agency workers and children were taken to a safe place.

A crowd started to gather and more officers were requested to attend the area where “pockets of disorder” were emerging.

Footage on social media appears to show an overturned police car on the road.

In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said: “More officers have been deployed to the area to assist with the management of this incident.

“Some road closures are also being implemented and people are advised to avoid the area at this time.”

Former West Yorkshire Police chief constable Dee Collins said: "Saddened to see the behaviour being reported. Please stay calm & remember we are better together resolving concerns through dialogue and caring about our communities."

Salma Arif, councillor for Gipton and Harehills, warned residents to stay at home in a video she posted on social media, featuring an East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Inspector.

Ms Arif said: “There is an ongoing situation currently in Harehills, we’re aware of that so police is here.

“We are asking everybody in the area to please stay at home at this moment in time.”

The inspector added: “If you could all stay where you are, stay in your houses, we will manage this and if you’re out in the crowd I would just ask you to go home please so we can keep everybody safe.”