Leeds riots – latest: Arrests made over Harehills disorder as council urgently reviews ‘family matter’ case
Police have so far made five arrests and charged another man over a major disturbance in a Leeds suburb that has led the council to undertake an “urgent review”.
West Yorkshire Police battled the “serious disorder incident” in Harehills as officers faced a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large crowd that gathered in the street on Thursday night.
Footage on social media showed vehicles, including a double-decker bus, on fire while other videos showed an overturned police car on the road with its blue lights flashing.
Iustin Dobre, 37, of Clifton Mount, Harehills, was on Saturday charged with arson and violent disorder. The other five people arrested on suspicion of violent disorder remain in police custody.
The force said it had been called to a report of social workers being met with “hostility” while dealing with a child protection matter.
After meeting with representatives of the Roma community on Friday, Leeds City Council agreed to undertake an “urgent review” of the “family matter” case.
Are you at the scene or wish to share how this impacted you? Email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk
Key Points
Man charged with arson and violent disorder after Harehills disturbances
West Yorkshire Police make five arrests
Home secretary condemns violent disorder in Leeds as ‘audacious criminality’
Leeds City Council agree to undertake ‘urgent review’ of ‘family matter’
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08:34 , Tara Cobham
We are pausing this live blog for now.
Please visit The Independent’s homepage for all the latest updates.
Man charged with arson and violent disorder after Harehills disturbances
07:28 , Tara Cobham
A man has been charged with arson and violent disorder after serious disturbances in a Leeds suburb.
Iustin Dobre, 37, of Clifton Mount, Harehills, was charged after a bus was set on fire during rioting in Harehills, Leeds, on Thursday evening, West Yorkshire Police said.
He was charged with violent disorder and arson reckless as to endanger life.
William Warnes reports:
Man charged with arson and violent disorder after Harehills disturbances
Woman bailed after car ‘deliberately set alight’ with children inside in separate incident
07:00 , Alexander Butler
A woman has been bailed “pending further enquiries” after a car was “deliberately set alight” while two children were still inside, police have said in a separate update.
The incident happened at about 10.52pm on Thursday in Tong Way, Leeds, but it is unclear whether it was linked to the disorder in the city that night.
West Yorkshire Police said a woman reported her car had been deliberately set alight while her two children were still in the vehicle.
She and a neighbour took the children to safety and were checked over by ambulance staff with no concerns found, the force said.
A 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson in relation to the incident and has since been bailed pending future inquiries.
Resident tells of how ‘frightening’ and ‘worrying’ it was when riots broke out
05:00 , Alexander Butler
A resident has told of how “frightening” and “worrying” it was on Thursday when the riots broke out in a Leeds suburb.
Naseem Ashfaq told The Independent: “I don’t live too far from where this happened [on] Thursday. It was very frightening and scary for me. I am over 60. [I] never experienced anything like this before.
“Good job I don’t have small children. Can you imagine what it would have been for them?
“It was so scary thinking, what’s going to happen next? Will it get worse? And how far will this go? So worrying.”
What sparked the night of violent disorder?
04:00 , Alexander Butler
Leeds riots: What sparked the night of violent disorder?
Watch: Flames engulf double-decker bus after riot breaks out in Leeds with hundreds on streets
03:00 , Alexander Butler
Watch: Hundreds outnumber officers as riots break out in Harehills
02:00 , Alexander Butler
Everything we know as police begin investigations over violence
01:00 , Alexander Butler
Everything we know about Leeds riots as police begin investigations
Watch: Councillor who tried to stop Leeds rioters speaks out after violence
Saturday 20 July 2024 23:00 , Alexander Butler
Police make arrests as they defend decision to pull officers back during Harehills disorder
Saturday 20 July 2024 22:00 , Alexander Butler
West Yorkshire Police has made five arrests following riots in Leeds on Thursday night – and the force defended its decision to pull back its officers in the face of hostile crowds.
Violence broke out on Thursday evening in the Harehills area of Leeds, with shocking videos showing a police car being overturned and a double-decker bus being set alight.
The force said the rioting broke out as officers responded to reports of social workers experiencing hostility when dealing with a child protection issue.
Police make arrests after Leeds riots as they defend decision to withdraw officers
Nigel Farage sparks anger over ‘inflammatory’ Leeds riot comments
Saturday 20 July 2024 21:00 , Alexander Butler
Nigel Farage has been accused of inflaming tensions after blaming rioting in Leeds on the “politics of the subcontinent”.
The Reform UK leader, who was in the US for the Republican National Convention in Minnesota, posted on social media on Thursday evening as scenes of disorder in the city emerged.
“The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds,” he wrote on X within hours: “Don’t say I didn’t warn you”.
Nigel Farage sparks anger over ‘inflammatory’ Leeds riot comments
The hero councillor who formed a human shield to stop violence escalating in Leeds riots
Saturday 20 July 2024 20:00 , Alexander Butler
A councillor has been hailed as a hero after attempting to calm the violent scenes which erupted on Thursday night in Leeds.
Mothin Ali, Green Party councillor for Gipton and Harehills ward, said he returned home at 3am on Friday morning after trying to stop people from throwing objects and adding to the already raging fires.
He was filmed dramatically kicking away a wheelie bin being dragged towards a fire by two young people - one wearing a balaclava - and with the other hand, stopping another adult from throwing a wooden pallet onto the fire.
Hero councillor formed a human shield to stop violence escalating in Leeds riots
Watch: Home secretary calls Leeds disorder ‘audacious criminality’
Saturday 20 July 2024 19:52 , Alexander Butler
The home secretary described violent disorder that broke out on the streets of Leeds as “audacious criminality”.
Violence broke out on Thursday evening (18 July) in the Harehills area of Leeds, with shocking videos showing a police car being overturned and a double-decker bus being set alight. Five people have since been arrested.
In an interview with the BBC on Friday (19 July), Yvette Cooper said: “Many people will have seen on social media some of the really shocking scenes of audacious criminality and that’s why it’s really important that those individuals face the full force of the law and that’s one of the issues police have been talking to me about this evening.”
Local resident tells of how ‘frightening’ and ‘worrying’ it was when riots broke out
Saturday 20 July 2024 18:31 , Alexander Butler
A local resident has told of how “frightening” and “worrying” it was on Thursday when the riots broke out in a Leeds suburb.
Naseem Ashfaq told The Independent: “I don’t live too far from where this happened [on] Thursday. It was very frightening and scary for me. I am over 60. [I] never experienced anything like this before.
“Good job I don’t have small children. Can you imagine what it would have been for them?
“It was so scary thinking, what’s going to happen next? Will it get worse? And how far will this go? So worrying.”
Watch: Hundreds outnumber officers as riots break out in Harehills
Saturday 20 July 2024 16:59 , Alexander Butler
In pictures: Disorder broke out in Harehills on Thursday night
Saturday 20 July 2024 16:10 , Tara Cobham
Woman bailed after arrest over car that was ‘deliberately set alight’ with two children inside
Saturday 20 July 2024 14:04 , Rebecca Thomas
A woman has been bailed “pending further enquiries” by police after a car was “deliberately set alight” while two children were still inside.
The incident happened at about 10.52pm on Thursday in Tong Way, Leeds.
West Yorkshire Police said a woman reported her car had been deliberately set alight while her two children were still in the vehicle.
She and a neighbour took the children to safety and were checked over by ambulance staff with no concerns found, the force said.
A 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson in relation to the incident and has since been bailed pending future inquiries.
Local resident tells of how ‘frightening’ and ‘worrying’ it was when riots broke out
Saturday 20 July 2024 13:09 , Tara Cobham
A local resident has told of how “frightening” and “worrying” it was on Thursday when the riots broke out in a Leeds suburb.
Naseem Ashfaq told The Independent: “I don't live too far from where this happened [on] Thursday. It was very frightening and scary for me. I am over 60. [I] never experienced anything like this before.
“Good job I don't have small children. Can you imagine what it would have been for them?
“It was so scary thinking, what's going to happen next? Will it get worse? And how far will this go? So worrying.”
Recap: Watch as hundreds outnumbered officers when riots broke out in Harehills
Saturday 20 July 2024 12:56 , Tara Cobham
Full statement issued by Leeds City Council over riot
Saturday 20 July 2024 11:37 , Tara Cobham
After meeting with representatives of the Roma community on Friday, Leeds City Council agreed to undertake an “urgent review” of a “family matter” case.
A riot broke out in the Harehills area of Leeds on Thursday evening after social workers reported hostility when dealing with a child protection issue.
The children were taken to a safe place while police officers attended for support. But when authorities were met with further hostilities, they were forced to withdraw.
A statement from Leeds City Council released on Friday said: “Today, representatives of the Roma community met with Leeds City Council to express their concerns about a family matter yesterday (18 July 2024).
“The council has agreed to undertake an urgent review of the case and work with Romanian and Roma led organisations, the churches, and the Honorary Consulate of Romania and other family representatives for the best interests of the family and wider Roma community.
“We are asking all communities to remain calm and to ensure that we do not see further disturbances such as those witnessed last night, which brought fear and upset to communities in Harehills. Local people are devastated by what happened, and we want to ensure there is no repeat of the distressing scenes we saw. Such actions will have a long lasting and harmful impact on our community.”
Watch: Flames engulfing double-decker bus after riot broke out in Leeds
Saturday 20 July 2024 11:03 , Tara Cobham
Home secretary calls Leeds disorder ‘audacious criminality’
Saturday 20 July 2024 10:30 , Tara Cobham
Home secretary calls Leeds disorder ‘audacious criminality’
The hero councillor who formed a human shield to stop violence escalating in Leeds riots
Saturday 20 July 2024 10:00 , Tara Cobham
A councillor has been hailed as a hero after attempting to calm the violent scenes which erupted on Thursday night in Leeds.
Mothin Ali, Green Party councillor for Gipton and Harehills ward, said he returned home at 3am on Friday morning after trying to stop people from throwing objects and adding to the already raging fires.
He was filmed dramatically kicking away a wheelie bin being dragged towards a fire by two young people - one wearing a balaclava - and with the other hand, stopping another adult from throwing a wooden pallet onto the fire.
Barney Davis reports:
Hero councillor formed a human shield to stop violence escalating in Leeds riots
Nigel Farage sparks anger over ‘inflammatory’ Leeds riot comments
Saturday 20 July 2024 09:30 , Tara Cobham
Nigel Farage has been accused of inflaming tensions after blaming rioting in Leeds on the “politics of the subcontinent”.
The Reform UK leader, who was in the US for the Republican National Convention in Minnesota, posted on social media on Thursday evening as scenes of disorder in the city emerged.
“The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds,” he wrote on X within hours: “Don’t say I didn’t warn you”.
Archie Mitchell reports:
Nigel Farage sparks anger over ‘inflammatory’ Leeds riot comments
Watch: Home secretary condemns violent disorder in Leeds
Saturday 20 July 2024 09:00 , Tara Cobham
Police warn further arrests will be made as part of ‘relentless’ investigation
Saturday 20 July 2024 08:02 , Tara Cobham
Police have warned further arrests will be made as part of a “relentless” investigation.
Five people have so far been taken into custody after the scenes of violent disorder in the Leeds suburb.
Resident saw people throwing bricks and stones at a police van
Saturday 20 July 2024 07:00 , Athena Stavrou
From the scene in Harehills this morning, Press Association has spoken to people who live in the area.
Paul, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, said he left his house at around 7pm on Thursday to see people throwing bricks and stones at a police van.
Paul, who asked to be referred to by his first name only, said: “The police were trying to stand their ground but they had to get back in the van.”
He said he was concerned because “I’ve got kids and you don’t know how far people are going to take it”.
He said: “The most shocking thing was when the bus went up – got set on fire. There was a bang and everybody ran. I don’t like my kids being around this. It’s just not right.
“It was just that one incident and then I think everybody jumped on the bandwagon. I don’t think it was one particular people, I think everybody thought it was an excuse to have a go at the police.”
The hero councillor who formed a human shield to stop violence escalating in Leeds riots
Saturday 20 July 2024 06:00 , Athena Stavrou
A councillor has been hailed as a hero after attempting to calm the violent scenes which erupted on Thursday night in Leeds.
Mothin Ali, Green Party councillor for Gipton and Harehills ward, said he returned home at 3am on Friday morning after trying to stop people from throwing objects and adding to the already raging fires.
He was filmed dramatically kicking away a wheelie bin being dragged towards a fire by two young people - one wearing a balaclava - and with the other hand, stopping another adult from throwing a wooden pallet onto the fire.
Appealing for calm the morning after the violence, he told The Independent: “The police weren’t around. I don’t want to criticise them but they left the scene and tried to come back and establish control - but they were being pelted with bricks and bottles and were chased off.
Read the full interview here:
Hero councillor formed a human shield to stop violence escalating in Leeds riots
Pictures: Harehills riots
Saturday 20 July 2024 05:00 , Athena Stavrou
Nigel Farage accused of ‘inflaming a situation with misinformation’
Saturday 20 July 2024 03:00 , Athena Stavrou
Nigel Farage is facing a backlash this morning after he posted a message on X on last night’s disturbance.
Situated thousands of miles away in the US, where he was attending the RNC conference in support of Donald Trump, Mr Farage gave his reacton to the trouble that flared in Harehills in Leeds.
He wrote: “The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Those remarks, however, led to a backlash from local Labour MPs, including Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley.
Mr Sobel wrote: “This is a situation you know nothing about and no one has briefed you on.
“You are inflaming a situation with misinformation. Politicians have a responsibility to not exacerbate situations, particularly with no knowledge of them. I expect you to issue an apology.”
Mr Farage replied: “When will you and the Labour Party apologise for irresponsible mass migration?”
‘Appalling breakdown of social order’ - West Yorkshire Police Federation
Saturday 20 July 2024 01:00 , Athena Stavrou
West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Craig Nicholls has issued a statement on last night’s trouble.
He described it as “utterly unacceptable” and praised police officers who responded to trouble in the Harehills estate in Leeds.
He said: “What should have been a standard duty quickly turned into a night of chaos, highlighting the need for robust support and resources for those tasked with maintaining public safety.
“Despite the conditions, the resilience of our colleagues was nothing short of remarkable.
“In the face of aggression and disorder, their quick-thinking and bravery were critical in bringing the situation to a safe conclusion.”
‘I was just thinking about my community’ - hero councillor
Friday 19 July 2024 23:30 , Athena Stavrou
Green Councillor Mothin Ali was also filmed dramatically kicking away a wheelie bin being dragged towards a fire by two young people.
He also stopped another adult from throwing a wooden pallet onto the fire.
Councillor Ali said: “This is my community, these are my people, regardless of how they behaved. This behaviour is unacceptable but we need people to step in and calm things down when they can. I have a position of authority and I have to use it.
“I grabbed the bin off those young lads, and credit to them they showed me respect and stepped away. They didn’t try anything else.
“Later on the crowd changed, and was more aggressive. I had people pushing me and shoving me. I don’t even know if I was scared, I wasn’t thinking about that. I was just thinking about my community.”
Leeds City Council agree to undertake ‘urgent review’ of ‘family matter’ case after riot
Friday 19 July 2024 22:34 , Athena Stavrou
After meeting with representatives of the Roma community today, Leeds City Council have agreed to undertake an “urgent review” of a “family matter” case.
A riot broke out in the Harehills area of Leeds on Thursday evening after social workers reported hostility when dealing with a child protection issue.
The children were taken to a safe place while police officers attended for support. But when authorities were met with further hostilities, they were forced to withdraw.
A statement from Leeds City Council released on Friday said: “Today, representatives of the Roma community met with Leeds City Council to express their concerns about a family matter yesterday (18 July 2024).
“The council has agreed to undertake an urgent review of the case and work with Romanian and Roma led organisations, the churches, and the Honorary Consulate of Romania and other family representatives for the best interests of the family and wider Roma community.
“We are asking all communities to remain calm and to ensure that we do not see further disturbances such as those witnessed last night, which brought fear and upset to communities in Harehills. Local people are devastated by what happened, and we want to ensure there is no repeat of the distressing scenes we saw. Such actions will have a long lasting and harmful impact on our community.”
How last night’s riot started
Friday 19 July 2024 22:30 , Athena Stavrou
More than 15 hours since the start of the public disorder, questions are being asked on how it started.
West Yorkshire Police said its officers were called to an incident at an address in the Harehills estate at 5pm on Thursday where they found an “ongoing disturbance” involving agency workers and children.
More people started to attend the location and the agency workers and children were taken to a safe place.
A crowd then started to gather and more officers were requested to attend the area where “pockets of disorder” were emerging.
In a statement, the West Yorkshire Police said: “More officers have been deployed to the area to assist with the management of this incident.”
The force has added that they will conduct a full investigation into “all criminal offences… including damage to vehicles from fire”.
Mood ‘calmer’ tonight
Friday 19 July 2024 21:35 , Athena Stavrou
Leeds City Councillor Salma Arif told Channel 4 news that the mood now seems calmer in the Harehills area after violent disorder on Thursday night.
She said she had been meeting with police and community leaders to make sure there was no repeat of what happened.
Misinformation on social media about the nature of the incident had been “extremely unhelpful” she said, and added that she had been “picking up on some of that rhetoric” while in the midst of trying to defuse the situation.
She said: “What I can tell you, it was an isolated incident. There was an incident that happened with a family with care services, and obviously I can’t go in much detail in relation to what happened with that incident.
“But that has been really unhelpful because it means you know, the media has landed in Harehills. And actually, I mean, you will go tomorrow, but as a community, we still have to be together to pick up those pieces.”
She said Harehills was “a deprived area, but an incredibly diverse part of the city of Leeds”.
Wrong information on who is responsible posted on social media - say police
Friday 19 July 2024 21:30 , Athena Stavrou
Following the break-out of the riot in the Harehills estate in Leeds last night, social media has been flooded with pics and videos from eyewitnesses.
There’s also been questions raised on who is responsible, with fingers pointed at some groups and people.
This morning, West Yorkshire Police, which is treating the matter as a “serious public order incident” said it was aware of wrong information posted on social media.
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.”
Profile on Harehills
Friday 19 July 2024 20:30 , Athena Stavrou
So what do we know about Harehills?
The suburb is located in east Leeds and comes under the Gipton and Harehills ward, which has a population of just over 30,000 people living across 11,000 homes.
It was ranked among the most deprived areas in Leeds in 2020.
Last year, the most common crime offences reported were violence and sexual offences, public order and criminal damage and arson.
Home Secretary brands riot as ‘audacious criminality’ - reports
Friday 19 July 2024 20:11 , Athena Stavrou
Yvette Cooper has branded yesterday’s riot in Harehills, Leeds as “audacious criminality” as she met with he Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.
Five people have been arrested so far in connection to Thursday night’s violence which saw a police car overturned and a bus set alight
Speaking at Leeds’ Elland Road police station the Home Secretary told the BBC: “I’ve been talking to West Yorkshire Police officers and also to local community leaders about the action they are taking in response to these unacceptable scenes of disorder and criminality that we saw last night.
“Many people will have seen on social media some of the really shocking scenes of audacious criminality and that’s why it’s really important that those individuals face the full force of the law and that’s one of the issues police have been talking to me about this evening.”
Five arrested after riot
Friday 19 July 2024 20:07 , Athena Stavrou
Five people have been taken into custody after scenes of violent disorder in the east Leeds suburb of Harehills on Thursday evening, according to West Yorkshire Police.
Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said: “We have made a number of arrests in connection with the breakout of disorder in Harehills last night with five people taken into custody.
“Officers from the Major Enquiry Team continue at significant pace to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disorder and we have teams deployed to arrest those who have been identified. We are using all the investigative tools available to us in order to identify those involved.
“These include traditional witness appeals as well as new and innovative ways of identifying those responsible. We’re making arrests and will continue to do so over the next few days.”
He added: “To those who are responsible for the criminality seen in Harehills, our investigation will be relentless and I urge you to do the right thing and hand yourself in to the police while you have the opportunity to do so.
“I also issue the same message to the parents of those young people involved, to make contact with the police now.”
‘Nobody was seriously hurt’ - West Yorkshire Mayor
Friday 19 July 2024 19:34 , Athena Stavrou
Despite the danger posed by last night’s fires, no-one was thankfully seriously hurt, according to West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.
Fears had been raised for passengers of a bus after images showed it on fire during the public disorder, but that was empty, said First Bus.
This morning, Ms Brabin said she believed no-one was seriously hurt as a result of the riot.
In a post on X, she wrote: “I am relieved that nobody was seriously hurt in this incident - we will provide any support we can to the people of Harehills following the violence perpetrated in their community.”
She also criticised those behind the disorder.
She said: “I am absolutely appalled by the violent and thoughtless actions witnessed in Harehills last night. Such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and I am in touch with West Yorkshire Police for regular updates on the progress of their investigation.
“I would urge everyone to refrain from speculation on social media and if members of the public believe they have footage of criminal behaviour, I would ask for this to be passed on to the police.”
Full police statement
Friday 19 July 2024 18:07 , Athena Stavrou
West Yorkshire Police said violent disorder broke out in Harehills, Leeds, on Thursday after officers responded to a call from Children’s Social Care at around 5pm after social workers reported hostility when dealing with a child protection issue.
Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said: “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.
“We continually assessed the situation and took the decision to deploy specialist public order officers who then came under a barrage of bricks and missiles from a large group.”
Mr Twiggs said a decision was made to temporarily withdraw officers when it became “evident that the police was their sole target”, in order to calm tensions.
He added: “Throughout the night several arrests were made in relation to the disorder and further arrests will be made over the next few days.
“The force Major Enquiry Team have launched an investigation which will include reviewing CCTV and social media footage and images to identify the perpetrators.
“We will leave no stone unturned in our hunt for all those who were involved and will work closely with our criminal justice partners to bring them to justice.”