Following Thursday night’s riots in Leeds, West Yorkshire Police made five arrests. The force also defended its choice to withdraw its officers in the face of unfriendly mobs.
On Thursday night, there was violence in Leeds’ Harehills neighborhood. Startling footage from the scene shows a police car being turned over and a double-decker bus being set on fire.
According to the force, the rioting started as police responded to complaints that social workers were being hostile toward them while handling a child protection matter.
Around five o’clock in the evening, after the kids were taken to a secure location, protesters gathered, the situation worsened, and objects were thrown at the police.
Around five o’clock in the evening, after the kids were taken to a secure location, protesters gathered, the situation worsened, and objects were thrown at the police.
Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs stated that as the chaos worsened, officers were compelled to leave the area because it was “clear that the police was their only target.”
The local Green Party councillor Mothin Ali, who attempted to defuse the situation, has criticized the decision.
There have been five confirmed arrests thus far, but more are anticipated.
“Several fires started and vehicles sustained damage as the disorder worsened,” Mr. Twiggs stated.
After carefully evaluating the situation, we decided to send out specialized public order officers, who were immediately attacked by a large group of people with bricks and missiles.
Then, in an effort to reduce tensions, it was decided to temporarily remove the officers.
“More arrests will be made over the next few days in relation to the disorder,” he continued. “Several arrests were made throughout the night.”
Social media videos showed a double-decker bus being set on fire as several fires were started along the street, and a police car being overturned before being attacked by individuals with scooters, strollers, and bikes.
Four police officers stood watch over a burning bus on Friday morning as locals gathered to inspect the damage.
Seated on a nearby patch of grass was a visibly emotional group of people who were thought to be connected to the original incident.
Gipton and Harehills Green Party councilor Mr. Ali called the events “absolute mayhem” and urged the neighborhood to remain composed and unite in the wake of the incident.
Mr. Ali said that although the neighborhood policing team in the area was “absolutely fantastic” and had made an effort to prevent the situation from getting worse, it was the wrong move for the officers to leave the scene during the initial incident.
He asserted that arrests ought to be made and claimed that the police lacked the manpower and tools required during the disturbance.
On the morning following the violence, he made an appeal for calm and told The Independent, “The police weren’t around.” They left the scene and attempted to return and regain control, but they were chased away after being pelted with bricks and bottles. I don’t mean to criticize them.
They lacked both helmets and shields. I attempted to create a human shield with a few other people. We attempted to give the police a way out by positioning ourselves in front of the bricks and bottles.
He claimed that some of the people who were arrested were “legitimately angry,” while others were “wanting to cause trouble.”
“Legitimate anger is appropriate, but attacking a bus with innocent people on it is not,” he told the PA news agency.
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