Leeds riots live: Arrests made over Harehills disorder as council urgently reviews ‘family matter’ case

After meeting with representatives of the Roma community on Friday, Leeds City Council agreed to undertake an “urgent review” of a “family” matter.

A riot broke out in the Harehills area of ​​Leeds on Thursday night after social workers reported hostility during a child protection issue.

The children were taken to safety while police officers were there to help them. But faced with renewed hostilities, the authorities were forced to withdraw.

A statement from Leeds City Council released on Friday said: “Today representatives from the Roma community met with Leeds City Council to raise concerns about a family matter yesterday (18 July 2024).

“The council agreed to undertake an urgent review of the case and to work with Romanian and Roma-led organisations, churches, the Romanian Honorary Consulate and other representatives of the family in the best interests of the family and the wider Roma community.

“We are asking all communities to remain calm and ensure that we do not see further disturbances such as those seen last night, which have caused fear and confusion in communities across Harehills. Local people are devastated by what has happened and we want to ensure that there is no repeat of the distressing scenes we have seen. Such actions will have a lasting and damaging impact on our community.”

He was filmed dramatically pushing back a wheelie bin being pulled towards a fire by two youths – one wearing a balaclava – and with the other, stopping another adult from throwing a wooden pallet into the fire.

THE UK Reform The party leader, who was in the United States for the Republican National Convention in Minnesota, posted messages on social media on Thursday evening announcing scenes of disorder in the city.

“The politics of the subcontinent are being played out on the streets of Leeds right now,” he wrote on X a few hours later: “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Police have warned that further arrests will be made as part of a “relentless” investigation.

Five people have so far been taken into custody following the violent scenes on the outskirts of Leeds.

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

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

Paul, who asked to be identified by his first name only, said: “The officers tried to hold on but had to get back into the van.”

He said he was worried because “I have children and I don’t know how far people can go.”

He said: “The most shocking thing was when the bus caught fire. There was a loud bang and everyone ran away. I don’t like my children to be in this situation. It’s just not normal.”

“It was an isolated incident and I think everyone jumped on it. I don’t think it was any one person, I think everyone thought it was an excuse to go after the police.”

He was filmed dramatically pushing back a wheelie bin being pulled towards a fire by two youths – one wearing a balaclava – and with the other, stopping another adult from throwing a wooden pallet onto the fire.

Calling for calm the day after the violence, he said The Independent:”The police were not there. I don’t want to criticize them, but they left the scene and tried to come back to regain control, but they were pelted with bricks and bottles and chased away.

Read the full interview here: