Residents warned to stay home amid ongoing disorder in Leeds suburb

Local residents have been warned to stay at home amid ongoing disorder in the Harehills area of Leeds.

There is a “large” police presence in the area – but no injuries have yet been reported, West Yorkshire Police said.

The owner of a restaurant in Harehills said the disorder was linked to local children being taken into care, adding that some people in the community have responded by setting fires and “throwing stones”.

Livestream footage on social media showed vehicles, including what appeared to be a bus, ablaze, with other videos showing an overturned police car on the road with its blue lights flashing, sirens blaring, car alarms going off and crowds of people in the street – some of them shouting.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a post on X: “I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & public transport in Leeds tonight. Disorder of this nature has no place in our society.”

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin also took to social media to thank emergency services, adding: “I’m reassured no-one has been seriously injured but suggest those who are using this to inflame community tensions to think again.”

Officers were called to an incident at an address in Luxor Street at 5pm on Thursday where they found an “ongoing disturbance” involving agency workers and children, according to police.

More people started to attend the location and the agency workers and children were taken to a safe place.

A crowd started to gather and more officers were requested to attend the area where “pockets of disorder” were emerging.

In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said: “More officers have been deployed to the area to assist with the management of this incident.

“Some road closures are also being implemented and people are advised to avoid the area at this time.”

Helicopters have been seen in the area.

Salma Arif, councillor for Gipton and Harehills, warned residents to stay at home in a video she posted on social media, featuring an East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Inspector.

Ms Arif said: “There is an ongoing situation currently in Harehills, we’re aware of that so police is here.

“We are asking everybody in the area to please stay at home at this moment in time.”

The inspector added: “If you could all stay where you are, stay in your houses, we will manage this and if you’re out in the crowd I would just ask you to go home please so we can keep everybody safe.”