Leeds riots - latest: Arrests made over Harehills disorder sparked by social services facing ‘hostility’

Police have made “several arrests” over a major disturbance in Leeds overnight that saw a police car overturned and a double-decker bus torched.

West Yorkshire Police battled the “serious disorder incident” in the Harehills estate as officers faced a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large crowd that gathered in the street on Thursday night.

Footage on social media showed vehicles, including a bus, on fire while other videos showed the overturned police car on the road with its blue lights flashing.

On Friday afternoon, the police force revealed more on how the disorder escalated while defending its decision to initially withdraw officers who were under attack.

Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said the force had been called to a report of social workers being met with “hostility” while dealing with a child protection matter.

He said officers were attacked as they helped the staff to safety.

Several arrests have been made as an investigation continues to identify the culprits behind the violence.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the disorder, calling it “shocking and disgraceful”.

Are you at the scene or wish to share how this impacted you? Email alexander.ross@independent.co.uk

Key Points

• West Yorkshire Police make ‘several’ arrests

• More detail given on how the trouble started

• Sir Keir Starmer says disorder was 'shocking and disgraceful’

• Violence triggered by a ‘family incident’ - council chief executive

• Nigel Farage accused of ‘inflaming situation with misinformation'

• Hero councillor stopped people throwing items on fire

Work now taking place to remove the bus remains

15:12 , Alex Ross

One of the central points of last night’s disturbance in Harehills was the double-decker bus being torched.

Thankfully, it was empty and no-one was hurt.

Today, the remains of it have sat within a police cordon guarded by officers.

At around 3pm, a fork lift truck arrived to start clearing the charred rubble from the vehicle.

More given by West Yorkshire Police on how the trouble started

14:26 , Alex Ross

We’ve already said how West Yorkshire Police were called to the disturbance in Luxor Street in Leeds - this afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs has provided more on what happened.

He said officers received a call from Leeds City Council’s Children’s Social Care that social workers were reportedly being met with hostility while dealing with a child protection matter.

Ass Chf Cons Twiggs said his officers were attacked when they arrived, but managed to help the social workers withdraw to safety.

He said: “It is important to recognise the disorder and damage was caused by a criminal minority intent on disrupting the community.”

Earlier, Leeds City Council’s chief executive Tom Riordan said a “family incident” triggered the trouble and the actions of police and social service workers were “misinterpreted”.

West Yorkshire Police defend decision to initially withdraw officers from scene

14:19 , Alex Ross

As we’ve covered earlier from last night, during the violence police officers retreated when under attack from a crowd that gathered in the streets during the disturbance.

Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs has responded to questions on the move after some had been critical of the decision.

He said: “As the disorder escalated, damage was caused to vehicles and several fires set.

“We continually assessed the situation and took the decision to deploy specialist public order officers who then came under a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large group.

“A decision was taken to withdraw these officers temporarily as it was evident that the police was their sole target.

“This allowed for further community mediation to take place in order to calm the situation.

‘Several’ arrests made, police say

14:01 , Tom Barnes

“Several” people have been arrested following the violent disorder in Harehills and “further arrests will be made over the next few days”, West Yorkshire Police said.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said: “Throughout the night several arrests were made in relation to the disorder and further arrests will be made over the next few days.

“The force Major Enquiry Team have launched an investigation which will include reviewing CCTV and social media footage and images to identify the perpetrators.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our hunt for all those who were involved and will work closely with our criminal justice partners to bring them to justice.”

Sir Keir Starmer urges people to stop speculating on cause of disorder

13:55 , Alex Ross

As already reported, West Yorkshire Police is discouraging residents from speculating on the cause of this disorder. A spokesperson said: “Officers are aware of incorrect information circulating on social media suggesting persons potentially responsible.”

This lunchtime, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has echoed that request.

He said: “The police have also discouraged people from speculating on the cause of the disorder. And the Prime Minister would also urge people to follow this advice.

“But certainly, as the Home Secretary I think also outlined this morning, local partners and councillors will be working very closely with the community today to provide support and reassurance in light of the shocking scenes that we saw last night and prevent further disturbances.”

‘I was just thinking about my community’ - hero councillor

13:30 , Alex Ross

Green Councillor Mothin Ali was also filmed dramatically kicking away a wheelie bin being dragged towards a fire by two young people.

He also stopped another adult from throwing a wooden pallet onto the fire.

Councillor Ali said: “This is my community, these are my people, regardless of how they behaved. This behaviour is unacceptable but we need people to step in and calm things down when they can. I have a position of authority and I have to use it.

“I grabbed the bin off those young lads, and credit to them they showed me respect and stepped away. They didn’t try anything else.

“Later on the crowd changed, and was more aggressive. I had people pushing me and shoving me. I don’t even know if I was scared, I wasn’t thinking about that. I was just thinking about my community.”

‘I was scared they were going to come up my street'

13:14 , Alex Ross

One woman, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency she was walking a friend home in Harehills on Thursday night when she heard bangs coming from the bus that had been set on fire and started having a panic attack.

Her friend said: “I was scared they were going to come up our street, torch all the cars and maybe my house.”

‘We’ll let the police carry out their work’ - Starmer

13:00 , Alex Ross

Downing Street said the Government would not “cut across a police matter” when asked whether it would support fast-tracked sentences for rioters in Harehills.

Sir Keir Starmer, when he was director of public prosecutions in 2012, said rapid riot prosecutions were more important than long sentences.

Asked whether the Prime Minister would back fast sentences now, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “On this case, we’ll let the police carry out their work and they have our full support in doing that.”

‘We stood in front of the bricks and bottles’

12:50 , Alex Ross

Independent reporter Barney Davis has been speaking to a councillor who stood between rioters and police during trouble last night in Harehills.

Green Councillor Mothin Ali was also filmed dramatically kicking away a wheelie bin being dragged towards a fire by two young people.

He also stopped another adult from throwing a wooden pallet onto the fire.

He said: “The police weren’t around. I don’t want to criticise them but they left the scene and tried to come back and establish control - but they were being pelted with bricks and bottles and were chased off.

“They had no shields and no helmets. Me and a couple of others tried to form a human shield. We stood in front of the bricks and bottles and tried to give the police a way of retreating.”

Full interview here:

‘Hero’ councillor formed ‘human shield’ to stop violence escalating in Leeds riots

‘This is not a regular happening in Leeds'

12:45 , Alex Ross

More local reaction coming in on last night’s distrubance in Harehills in Leeds.

The city council’s leader, James Lewis, has been speaking to BBC Radio Leeds.

He said: “This is not a regular happening in Leeds, it’s not the face of Harehills.

“It’s a diverse community, lots of work goes on there to make it a strong and brilliant community and that’s what we need to be working on in the days and weeks ahead.”

‘Unsung heroes’ praised for calming situation by city MP

12:30 , Alex Ross

Videos from last night’s trouble showed some people attempting to calm the disturbance and even stopping people add items to fires

Among them was Green Party Councillor Mothin Ali who could be seen taking bins away from a street fire and wrestling with rioters trying to add a wooden pallet.

On Friday, Leeds East MP Richard Burgon praised those who helped.

He said: “This morning I’ve been in Harehills speaking with local residents who are devastated by yesterday’s serious incidents. So many good people worked together to try to calm things and reduce disorder in the community they care about so much. They are unsung heroes in our community.”

Sir Keir Starmer says disorder was “shocking and disgraceful"

12:21 , Alex Ross

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the “shocking and disgraceful” disorder last night.

Pointing to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s statement on the violence, a No 10 spokeswoman said: “He would echo that the scenes that we saw last night were shocking and disgraceful. And disorder of this nature has no place in our society.

“That’s why he would like to thank West Yorkshire Police and the emergency services for their swift support.

“And the police have our full support in carrying out their investigations and taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators and keep the public safe.”

Councillors expect a briefing with police later today

12:14 , Alex Ross

Councillors across the city of Leeds came together in Harehills last night to reassure residents after last night’s trouble, said city councillor Luke Farley.

Speaking to LBC, the Labour councillor said it was “heartbreaking to see in this community”.

He said he was attending a briefing by West Yorkshire Police later today on its investigation.

‘Hero’ councillor calls for calm

12:01 , Alex Ross

As previously reported, video footage circulated last night showed a local councillor appearing to stop people from adding objects to a fire during the disturbance in the Harehills estate.

The councillor, named in the video as Councillor Mothin Ali, could be seen taking bins away from the street fire and wrestling with rioters trying to add a wooden pallet.

This morning he’s been speaking to reporters from the scene.

He said: “The scene was absolute mayhem. It was quite chaotic. We were trying to shelter the police, act as human shields for the police because they were there without helmets, without shields, being pelted with bricks and bottles so we were trying to calm people down and act as a protective barrier.”

He said there should “definitely” be arrests in the wake of the incident.

He said: “There were people who were legitimately angry but there were people who were as well, wanting to cause trouble. Legitimate anger is appropriate but attacking a bus with innocent people on it is not.

“I just hope everyone stays calm. I just hope everyone remembers that we are a community. We’ve got this mess on our streets that needs to be cleaned up, let’s come together, let’s unite.”

What sparked the night of violent disorder?

11:48 , Alex Ross

We hear from West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council’s chief executive Tom Riordan on what triggered last night’s violence in Leeds.

Leeds riots: What sparked the night of violent disorder?

Resident saw people throwing bricks and stones at a police van

11:45 , Alex Ross

From the scene in Harehills this morning, Press Association has spoken to people who live in the area.

Paul, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, said he left his house at around 7pm on Thursday to see people throwing bricks and stones at a police van.

Paul, who asked to be referred to by his first name only, said: “The police were trying to stand their ground but they had to get back in the van.”

He said he was concerned because “I’ve got kids and you don’t know how far people are going to take it”.

He said: “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.

“It was just that one incident and then I think everybody jumped on the bandwagon. I don’t think it was one particular people, I think everybody thought it was an excuse to have a go at the police.”

Residents gather to view the damage

11:30 , Alex Ross

A police cordon remained in place on Friday morning around a burnt out vehicle after a night of disorder in Harehills with four officers guarding the scene.

Some residents gathered to look at the damage, while a visibly emotional group of people believed to be linked to the initial incident that led to the disorder sat on a patch of grass nearby.

Nigel Farage accused of ‘inflaming a situation with misinformation'

11:24 , Alex Ross

Nigel Farage is facing a backlash this morning after he posted a message on X on last night’s disturbance.

Situated thousands of miles away in the US, where he was attending the RNC conference in support of Donald Trump, Mr Farage gave his reacton to the trouble that flared in Harehills in Leeds.

He wrote: “The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Those remarks, however, led to a backlash from local Labour MPs, including Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley.

Mr Sobel wrote: “This is a situation you know nothing about and no one has briefed you on.

“You are inflaming a situation with misinformation. Politicians have a responsibility to not exacerbate situations, particularly with no knowledge of them. I expect you to issue an apology.”

Mr Farage replied: “When will you and the Labour Party apologise for irresponsible mass migration?”

Full statement from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

11:14 , Alex Ross

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said police have her full backing in “taking the strongest possible action” against rioters in Harehills, Leeds.

She said in a statement: “The scenes of criminality and disorder in Leeds last night were disgraceful, including attacks on police vehicles and public transport, and will have been very distressing for local residents.

“Those responsible must face the full force of the law and West Yorkshire Police have my support in pursuing the perpetrators and taking the strongest possible action against them.

“Local partners are meeting this morning and the police, the mayor and local councillors will be working closely with the community to provide support and reassurance and prevent further disturbances.

“Where there are incidents of disorder or unrest in communities, there is a responsibility on everyone to support the local agencies and residents who are working to resolve problems and prevent escalation. They have my support in their local work to provide a calm and firm response.”

Pictures from the scene of the disturbance this morning

10:55 , Alex Ross

A police cordon remains in place around a burnt out vehicle on Friday after a night of violent disorder in a Leeds suburb.

The clean-up operation has started as police guard the crime scene as the investigation starts to catch those responsible.

‘Appalling breakdown of social order’ - West Yorkshire Police Federation

10:51 , Alex Ross

West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Craig Nicholls has issued a statement on last night’s trouble.

He described it as “utterly unacceptable” and praised police officers who responded to trouble in the Harehills estate in Leeds.

He said: “What should have been a standard duty quickly turned into a night of chaos, highlighting the need for robust support and resources for those tasked with maintaining public safety.

“Despite the conditions, the resilience of our colleagues was nothing short of remarkable.

“In the face of aggression and disorder, their quick-thinking and bravery were critical in bringing the situation to a safe conclusion.”

Not safe to initially send crews - West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

10:00 , Alex Ross

We’re now hearing more on the response to last night’s fires, and why West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service did not initially send crews to the disturbance.

As reported, a double-decker bus was torched and several fires started in roads in the estate.

A fire service spokesperson said: “After evaluating the situation and considering the potential danger to our fire crews, it was determined that it was not safe to put out the fires,” a spokesperson says.

“We want to assure the public that we were ready to respond promptly if lives or homes were in danger.”

Violence triggered by a ‘family incident’ - council chief executive

09:58 , Alex Ross

Leeds City Council’s chief executive Tom Riordan spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme in the wake of last night’s trouble.

On the riots, West Yorkshire Police said it was initially called to a disturbance involving some agency workers and some children.

And Mr Riordan this morning explained it was a “family incident”.

He said: “There was a family incident earlier in the day that police attended 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.

“I can’t go into any detail. It was a family incident and as always in Leeds we have outstanding rated services...it was an incident that was probably misinterpreted I would say.”

‘Plenty of clearing up work to be done’

09:45 , Alex Ross

As the sun rose over the Leeds estate of Harehills, the damage from last night’s riots emerged.

BBC reporter Tom Ingall spoke from the scene this morning as council trucks arrived to clear away the debris from fires in the street.

He said a number of people he had spoken to said the disturbance was related to a local family having their children taken into custody by the authorities - but added this was unconfirmed.

“Questons and clean up and Harehills in disbelief this morning,” he said.

Councillor praised for calming situation

09:29 , Alex Ross

Video footage circulated last night of a local councillor appearing to stop people from adding objects to a fire during the disturbance in the Harehills estate.

The councillor, named in the video as Councillor Mothin Ali, can be seen taking bins away from the street fire and wrestling with rioters trying to add a wooden pallet.

Councillor Ali is a member of the Leeds Green Party, which issued a statement last night.

The party said: “Cllr Mothin Ali is currently in Harehills attempting to defuse the situation that has arisen this evening. He has been trying to calm rioters down and preventing the situation from worsening. A full statement will be released later.”

‘Full weight of the law’ to be brought against those reponsible

09:14 , Alex Ross

West Yorkshire Police has assured the public it will be fully investigating last night’s riot, which saw a police car overturned and a bus set on fire.

It comes as the force is reviewing footage circulating on social media that shows offending.

A spokesperson said: “All criminal offences, including damage to vehicles from fire, will be fully investigated by detectives from Leeds CID and the force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.

“We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible.”

Wrong information on who is responsible posted on social media - say police

08:57 , Alex Ross

Following the break-out of the riot in the Harehills estate in Leeds last night, social media has been flooded with pics and videos from eyewitnesses.

There’s also been questions raised on who is responsible, with fingers pointed at some groups and people.

This morning, West Yorkshire Police, which is treating the matter as a “serious public order incident” said it was aware of wrong information posted on social media.

A spokesperson said: “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.

“Officers are aware of incorrect information circulating on social media suggesting persons potentially responsible.”

Profile on Harehills

08:50 , Alex Ross

So what do we know about Harehills?

The suburb is located in east Leeds and comes under the Gipton and Harehills ward, which has a population of just over 30,000 people living across 11,000 homes.

It was ranked among the most deprived areas in Leeds in 2020.

The Muslim community represents the largest religious group, making up almost 40 per cent of the population.

And last year, the most common crime offences reported were violence and sexual offences, public order and criminal damage and arson.

How last night’s riot started

08:41 , Alex Ross

More than 15 hours since the start of the public disorder, questions are being asked on how it started.

West Yorkshire Police said its officers were called to an incident at an address in the Harehills estate 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 then started to gather and more officers were requested to attend the area where “pockets of disorder” were emerging.

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

The force has added that they will conduct a full investigation into “all criminal offences… including damage to vehicles from fire”.

‘Nobody was seriously hurt’ - West Yorkshire Mayor

08:33 , Alex Ross

Despite the danger posed by last night’s fires, no-one was thankfully seriously hurt, according to West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.

Fears had been raised for passengers of a bus after images showed it on fire during the public disorder, but that was empty, said First Bus.

This morning, Ms Brabin said she believed no-one was seriously hurt as a result of the riot.

In a post on X, she wrote: “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.”

She also criticised those behind the disorder.

She said: “I am absolutely appalled by the violent and thoughtless actions witnessed in Harehills last night. Such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and I am in touch with West Yorkshire Police for regular updates on the progress of their investigation.

“I would urge everyone to refrain from speculation on social media and if members of the public believe they have footage of criminal behaviour, I would ask for this to be passed on to the police.”

First Bus confirms one of its vehicles set on fire

08:26 , Alex Ross

This morning, First Bus has confirmed that one of the company’s vehicles was set on fire with another caught up in the chaos.

A spokesperson for the company in Leeds said: “Two of our vehicles have been caught up in the public disorder in the Harehills area of Leeds this evening.

“We can confirm that both drivers are unhurt and we have no reports of injuries to passengers.

“One of our vehicles has been set on fire but was empty as the customers had earlier been transferred to another bus together with the driver.”

Pictures show one bus being targeted by people seen kicking the front windscreen.

Statement from West Yorkshire Police

08:11 , Tom Watling

In a statement, the force 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.”

Yorkshire Police added that they will conduct a full investigation into “all criminal offences… including damage to vehicles from fire”.

“(All criminal offences), will be fully investigated by detectives from Leeds CID and the force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team,” police said.

The spokesman assured the public those involved in the violent uprising would be held accountable for their actions.

The force added: “We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible.”

Photo shows police upturned

08:02 , Tom Watling

A photo has shown a police car overturned in Harehills, Leeds, where the riots originated.

We have below an eyewitness account

07:59 , Tom Watling

Riesa, a pharmacy dispenser who did not want to give her last name, witnessed “quite violent” scenes, telling the PA news agency she saw people throwing items at police officers and cars.

The 26-year-old, who lives off Harehills Lane, where the riots took place, said: “They were attacking police cars, throwing things at the police cars - anything they could pick up off the floor really. Rocks from the garden, rubbish, drinks, anything.

“Drinks were definitely being throwing at the police - water or juice or fizzy drinks, or anything they had in their hands basically, at the cars because [the police] were trying not to get too close because it was quite violent."

She said about an hour later, when she was back home, she heard “chanting and screaming” from outside, adding that it sounded like "a thousand people".

“Looking out the window, you can see that people were attacking cars that were just at the traffic light trying to go past them, but they wouldn’t turn around because I think they were getting quite scared because there were so many people,” she continued.

“A few minutes after that, looking out my house, I could just see big black smoke coming from the main road.

“My husband said that they were pulling bins from people’s businesses or houses and just putting them into the middle of the road full of rubbish and just setting it on fire.”

She continued: “There was a bus at the lights, obviously stopped by all these people as well. He was trying to get past, obviously he couldn’t, so he just reversed and just stopped basically outside my street, and just left the bus there because he felt he was in danger.

“I did see people throwing things at the bus before the driver had got out. Someone threw some glass at the bus.”

West Yorkshire mayor hits back at Farage

07:55 , Tom Watling

The mayor of West Yorkshire has called for onlookers not to “inflame” tensions in Leeds in thinly-veiled swipe at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, mayor Tracy Brabin wrote: “Thank you to our emergency services in what is a very difficult situation.

“I’m being briefed by West Yorkshire Police and we are monitoring events.

“I’m reassured no one has been seriously injured but suggest those who are using this to inflame community tensions to think again.”

Earlier, we reported that Clacton MP Mr Farage claimed the riots were “the politics of the subcontinent playing out” in Leeds.

Leeds breaks into riots - in pictures

07:47 , Tom Watling

Below we have some of the latest pictures from Leeds, where riots broke out last night.

What we know so far?

07:44 , Tom Watling

The details of what is happening Leeds are developing as we write but below is everything we know thus far.

At 5pm yesterday, officers were called to an incident at an address in Luxor Street in east Leeds where they found an “ongoing disturbance” involving agency workers and children, West Yorkshire Police said.

A crowd started to gather as the agency workers and children were relocated to a safer area, and more officers were requested to attend as “pockets of disorder” were emerging.

One eyewitness said it felt like there was more than a “thousand” people in the area by the late evening and into the night.

A bus had to be abandoned by a driver after he became trapped on the road by the encircling crowd.

First Bus later reported that one of their buses had been set ablaze, though nobody had been injured as a result.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned the violence.

07:33 , Tom Watling

Below we have the statement from the home secretary Yvette Cooper in response to the riots in Leeds.

Leeds MP hits back at Farage, accusing him of ‘inflaming’ situation

07:33 , Tom Watling

A Leeds MP has hit back at claims by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage that the riots in Leeds were caused by the “politics of the subcontinent”, calling on his colleague in Commons to “issue an apology”.

Alex Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “This is a situation you know nothing about and no one has briefed you on.

“You are inflaming a situation with misinformation. Politicians have a responsibility to not exacerbate situations particularly with no knowledge of them.

I expect you to issue an apology.”

Farage plays ‘politics of the subcontinent’ for riot in Leeds

07:28 , Tom Watling

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has blamed the riots on Leeds on the “politics of the subcontinent”.

The Clacton MP issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, from Milwaukee where he is attending the Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump.

“The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds,” he wrote. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

It is unclear what country  he was referring to in the comment.

Latest from Leeds as police car overturned in violent disorder

07:24 , Tom Barnes

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of rioting that broke out in the Harehills area of Leeds overnight.

Read our latest on the situation in Leeds from Joe Middleton and Maroosha Muzaffar:

Riot in Leeds as police car overturned and bus torched in Harehills neighbourhood