What happened in Leeds last night? Everything we know so far

Clashes between rioters and police on the streets of Leeds have sparked a frenzy of speculation and conspiracy theories.

The unrest began at a home in the Harehills area on Thursday afternoon and snowballed into a night of vandalism and disorder which swept the surrounding area.

A double-decker bus was burned to a wreck, a police car was overturned, a bonfire of rubbish was set alight and numerous windows were shattered after people pelted bricks.

Exact details of what happened at the home are not clear, though a picture is emerging of a family-related disturbance.

Here’s what we know so far:

Why were people rioting in Leeds?

Police described the domestic incident as a ‘disturbance involving agency workers and some children’ at a home.

Footage appears to show officers taking a boy and a girl or young woman out of the home towards a police van.

The boy appeared visibly distressed, resisting the officer and trying to grab onto a pole.

West Yorkshire Police says the disturbance was already ‘ongoing’ when officers attended, suggesting they were called to the scene by someone at the property or within earshot.

It was not immediately clear whether arrests were made or if the individuals were removed for safety reasons.

Neighbour Mehwish Ahmed told the BBC people then ‘gathered around [the house] and it just got out of control to be honest’.

Images and footage shared on social media appear to show large groups of people outside the house becoming increasingly agitated.

Police say a decision was made to ‘remove the agency workers and the children to a safe place’.

This appears to be corroborated by eyewitness accounts by neighbours who said children and social workers were removed from the house by police officers.

According to police, more people then gathered and ‘pockets of disorder’ began occurring among them.

This prompted the deployment of more and more officers, as well as road closures.

Images show some of them were wearing riot gear, although many were in normal uniform.

Eyewitness accounts indicate the crowds attempted to follow the vehicle or vehicles in which the social workers and children were moved.

As this happened, more and more people from surrounding streets joined in, causing the crowd to grow into the hundreds.

Images appear to show the worst of the vandalism took place beyond Luxor Street as people followed a retreating line of police officers or clashed with officers enforcing roadblocks.

Footage also shows many people observing calmly or trying to ease the situation. Some people poured buckets of water on the burning bus in an attempt to put out the fires.

No arrests were announced in the immediate aftermath but suspects are expected to be apprehended following ongoing investigations.

Is the unrest still going on?

Calm was restored by around 1am, according to Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council.

This appears to be confirmed by the times at which photos and videos of the disturbance were posted.

There was no further unrest the following day, although a number of residents did gather in the streets again and were seen talking to officers.

One man appeared to be led away by officers and was seen in handcuffs.

West Yorkshire Police said nobody has been injured and is urging people to avoid speculating on the cause of the disturbance online.

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.

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

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