Police in Leeds have urged locals to stay home as they try to clear rioters from the area after a riot escalated into a full-blown brawl.
Chaos broke out on a residential street in the northern city after police were called to a row involving “agency workers and children”. A police car was overturned, a double-decker bus caught fire and bonfires were lit in the streets.
Shocking video footage circulating online shows large crowds of people gathering in the Harehills area of the northern city, where thugs overturn and vandalise a police car carrying scooters, prams and bicycles.
Locals were also seen running towards a fire that had started in the middle of the road with a large fridge, which they threw on the fire as locals cheered. Later footage showed the double-decker bus reduced to a charred and twisted wreck.
Senior officials and local councillors have urged people to go home, while dozens of police, including officers in riot gear, stormed streets around Harehills and roads were closed.
Still, local residents continue to flock to the area, with many streaming live footage of the confrontation on social media.
Rioters set fire to a bus in Leeds after a row involving ‘agency workers and children’ turned into a riot
The double-decker bus was left a twisted and smoldering wreck after being set alight
Locals watch a bonfire on the street in Harehills, Leeds. Police have urged locals to disperse
Riot police officers are seen at the scene of the crime in Harehills as unrest continues, with dozens of people taking to the streets
A police car was blown over as chaos broke out on the street in Harehills, Leeds
Locals were seen running towards a fire with what appeared to be a refrigerator (left) and then throwing the device into the flames as locals cheered (right)
Harehills resembles a war zone with a police car overturned and a bonfire burning at a junction.
MailOnline has contacted First Bus, the operator of bus services in Leeds, for a statement regarding the vehicle that was set on fire.
Police reported that they were called at 5 p.m. to a public order disturbance involving “temporary workers and children” in a building on Luxorstraat.
They then decided to remove the ‘officers and the children’ from the area as the locals became violent and more officers were sent to the scene.
Widely shared video footage on social media shows large groups of people rioting, shouting and destroying a police car.
Some local residents livestreamed footage of the incident on TikTok and Facebook Live.
Large crowds gathered at the scene as police officers dealt with a disturbance at a property in Luxor Street, Harehills, Leeds at 5pm
A man makes an insulting gesture towards a police officer. West Yorkshire Police have sent dozens of officers to the scene and closed roads
A man uses a scooter to vandalize a police car as people watch and film on their cell phones
In one of the videos, a child is seen picking up a scooter and throwing it at a police car, while a man joins in and repeatedly smashes the car with a broken stroller.
Another video shows a group overturning a police car as the crowd screams, some whistle and cheers.
Councillor Salma Arif, the local representative for the area on Leeds City Council, posted a video with a West Yorkshire Police inspector on X urging people to stay at home.
The Labour councillor said: ‘There is currently an ongoing situation in Harehills… we would ask everyone in the area to please stay at home at this time.’
Inspector Nicolls, an inspector from East Leeds Neighbourhood Police, added in the clip: ‘If you all just stay where you are and stay in your homes, we’ll be fine.’
“If you are in the crowd, I kindly ask that you go home so we can keep everyone safe. Thank you.”
Police officers deal with the large crowd of people gathered at the scene of the accident
Police officers try to control the crowd that has gathered at the address
A child was seen hitting a police car that had arrived at the scene
Glass and debris lie on the street as gangs of criminals vandalize a police car
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE; Serious public disorder in Harehills, Leeds; police vehicles attacked and overturned; absolute chaos and madness
photo.twitter.com/ONA5xeHcqr
—Norman Brennan (@NormanBrennan) July 18, 2024
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘At 5pm this afternoon police were called to a continuing disturbance at an address in Luxor Street, Harehills.
Officers arrived at the scene and found that there was an ongoing disturbance involving several agency employees and several children.
‘More and more people came to the location and it was decided to move the temporary workers and the children to a safe place.
A crowd began to gather and requests were made to send more officers to the area, where some disorder was occurring.
‘More officers have been sent to the area to assist with the management of this incident. A number of road closures are also in place and people are advised to avoid the area at this time.
‘There were no injuries and an investigation is underway at the scene.’
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We are aware of an open fire in Harehills, Leeds.
‘At this time, the fire in the street has no impact on public safety or buildings, so we are letting the fire burn out.
‘We continue to monitor the situation closely in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police, who are leading this incident.’
A number of roads are closed and people are asked to avoid the area.
Police remain at the scene this evening. Leeds City Council has been contacted for comment.