To receive free real-time news alerts directly to your inbox, sign up for our news emails
Sign up for our free news emails
A man has been charged after a Double-decker bus set on fire when riots broke out in the streets of Leeds earlier this week.
Iustin Dobre, 37, of Harehills, Leeds, was accused of violent disorder and reckless arson endangering life and will appear in court on Monday.
Police confirmed No one was injured in the riot and urged people with information to come forward as investigations continue.
The move comes after West Yorkshire Police made five arrests following the riots, with the force defending its decision to withdraw officers in the face of hostile crowds.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk
Police said the riots broke out as officers responded to reports that social workers had faced hostility when dealing with a child protection issue.
As the children were being moved to a safe location around 5pm, a crowd gathered and the situation escalated, with objects being thrown at police.
As the unrest escalated, Deputy Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said officers were forced to withdraw as it became “clear that the police were their only target”.
The decision was criticised, including by local Green Party councillor Mothin Ali, who worked to defuse the violence.
“As the unrest escalated, vehicles were damaged and several fires were started,” Mr Twiggs said.
“We continually assessed the situation and made the decision to deploy specialist law enforcement officers, who were then targeted by a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large group.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “A heightened police presence remains in place in the area and will be in place over the coming days.
“A major incident portal has been set up where anyone with information, photos, video footage (including dash cam or doorbell footage) relating to the disturbance can submit it via this link: Public portal (mipp.police.uk)
“Anyone with information can also contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 or logging onto https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat quoting reference Op Jerviswick. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 1111.”