Arrests made over Leeds rioting as new details come to light

Several people have been arrested following a night of unrest linked to a family disturbance in Leeds which led to widespread vandalism.

Police did not confirm the number of arrests but said more will be made ‘over the next few days’.

Detectives are currently reviewing footage and other evidence related to Thursday night’s rioting, which saw a double-decked bus burned to a wreck, a police car overturned, and windows pelted with rocks and brickks.

The disturbance began outside a home in the Harehills area where a incident involving some children and social workers took place.

West Yorkshire Police says the workers and youngsters were moved to a ‘safe place’ after crowds gathered outside the home and became agitated.

More officers were deployed after ‘pockets of disorder’ erupted among the crowd.

It’s believed the crowd attempted to follow the vehicle or vehicles in which the children and social workers were moved.

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

In the meantime, more officers were deployed, some of whom were in riot gear, although the majority appeared to be in regular uniforms.

The streets were left littered in broken glass and debris after people clashed with lines of officers in formation.

Footage also shows many people observing calmly or trying to ease the situation, with some pouring buckets of water on the burning bus in an attempt to extinguish it.

In a statement released on Friday, West Yorkshire Police said: ‘There has understandably been a great deal of speculation, commentary and concern following the disorder in Harehills, Leeds, overnight.

‘Our officers responded to a call from Children’s Social Care at around 5pm yesterday (Thursday 18 July) after social workers reported being met with hostility when dealing with a child protection matter.

‘Responding officers were attacked and helped Children’s Social Care staff withdraw to a place of safety.

‘As the disorder escalated, damage was caused to vehicles and several fires set.’

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