Chaos erupted in Leeds on Thursday night as rioters flipped a police car and set a double-decker bus ablaze.
Residents in the Harehills area were advised to stay indoors when officers were dispatched to Luxor Street around 5 pm due to a disturbance involving agency workers and children.
While the children were moved to safety, the crowd swelled, and tensions escalated, with objects hurled at the police.
Disturbing videos shared on social media revealed a police car being tipped over and attacked with a scooter, a pram, and a bike. A double-decker bus was also set on fire as multiple blazes broke out along the street.
Riesa, a pharmacy dispenser who preferred not to disclose her surname, described the scenes as “quite violent.” She recounted seeing people throwing objects at police officers and vehicles.
The 26-year-old resident of Harehills Lane said, “They were attacking police cars, throwing things at the police cars – anything they could pick up off the floor. Rocks from the garden, rubbish, drinks, anything.”
She added that drinks were thrown at the police and their vehicles to avoid close contact due to the violence.
Upon returning home, she heard “chanting and screaming” outside, likening the noise to “a thousand people.”
She described a bus trapped at a traffic light by the mob. Unable to proceed, the driver reversed and abandoned the bus outside her street, fearing for his safety.
Riesa mentioned seeing people throw objects at the bus before the driver exited. Someone even hurled glass at the bus.
First Bus confirmed that one of its vehicles was set alight, with another caught in the turmoil. Both drivers were unharmed, and no passengers were aboard the buses.
A spokesperson for First Bus in Leeds stated late Thursday, “Two of our vehicles were involved in the public disorder in the Harehills area of Leeds this evening.”
They added that a team from their depot quickly arrived at the scene to support their drivers and customers. One vehicle was set on fire but was empty, as the passengers and driver had transferred to another bus earlier.
All services were diverted from the affected Harehills area for the safety of staff and customers. Normal routes would resume following police advice, and customers would be updated accordingly.
A video showed a large fridge tossed onto a fire as crowds cheered amidst blaring sirens.
Salma Arif, councillor for Gipton and Harehills, urged residents to stay home in a social media video featuring an East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Inspector.
Ms. Arif stated, “There’s an ongoing situation in Harehills, and we’re aware of it. The police are here. We ask everyone in the area to please stay at home.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her dismay at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles and public transport in Leeds. She commended West Yorkshire Police for their response and confirmed that she was receiving regular updates.
Police reported no injuries, and several road closures were implemented.
West Yorkshire Police stated, “At 5 pm today, officers responded to an ongoing incident at an address in Luxor Street, Harehills.”
They discovered a disturbance involving agency workers and children. As more people arrived, the agency workers and children were relocated to a safe place.
A crowd formed, and additional officers were requested. Pockets of disorder occurred, prompting further deployments to manage the incident. Road closures were also implemented, and people were advised to avoid the area.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin suggested that those inciting community tensions reconsider their actions.
Local MP Richard Burgon stated that he was returning to Leeds from Parliament and was in contact with the police and concerned residents about the ongoing Harehills incident.
