UK Riots: 'Disturbance' Involving 'Kids' Turns Into Violent Protest In Leeds — Videos

So far, no one has been reported injured, police said, adding they believe the disorder was "instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations."

Images showed one fire being lit in the middle of a street as crowds of hundreds of people gathered (Source: X)

Source : Source:X

A bus was set ablaze and a police car was overturned as violence erupted in the Harehills area in neighbourhood of UK's Leeds city on Thursday (local time). Security has been increased in the area, with West Yorkshire Police saying it was dealing with a serious disorder incident by deploying appropriate specialist public order resources. 

"We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible," UK's Sky News reported quoting West Yorkshire Police.

So far, no one has been reported injured, police said, adding they believe the disorder was "instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations".

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had been left "appalled" by the scenes of unrest, amid what officers described as "pockets of disorder", with councillor Salma Arif asking people to stay at home.

Several videos on social media emerged showing large groups of people on the street. A video showed a police car being attacked with its windows shattered before it was overturned. 

BREAKING: ROMANIAN COMMUNITY VS THE POLICE MAJOR RIOTS IN HAREHILLS, LEEDS

Social services removed 5 children from parents after a 7 month old baby was taken to hospital with a head injury.

They attacked the Police and are setting things on fire.#Harehills, #Leeds #UK #Riots pic.twitter.com/pYp12oMdWL

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) July 18, 2024

In another video, a person was seen setting fire to the bus while others threw debris at it.

🚨🇬🇧 Today in Britain:

- Stabbing in broad daylight - Wigan
- Police cars & buses destroyed - Leeds
- Riots in #London

Izlamic Republic Of The UK Coming Soon.

Happy Jumma! pic.twitter.com/gbuULRa5fL

— Prashant Umrao (@ippatel) July 19, 2024

Police said officers responded to an "ongoing disturbance", which involved agency workers and "some children" at 5 pm (local time) in Luxor Street in the Harehills area. As a crowd began to gather, a decision was taken to remove both the agency workers and the children "to a safe place".

However, the situation escalated into a riot later. The owner of a restaurant in Harehills told Sky News that the disorder was linked to local children being taken into care, adding that some people responded by setting fires and "throwing stones".

Images showed one fire being lit in the middle of a street as crowds of hundreds of people gathered. Barriers have been set up along the street where the disorder seems centered.

Riots in Leeds,UK.
A Romanian family lost their kids to the government due to neglect. pic.twitter.com/xD5bt3KTKn

— Crazy videos. (@Crazy_videos_1) July 19, 2024

Meanwhile, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin thanked the emergency services in a social media post, adding: "I'm reassured no one has been seriously injured but suggest those who are using this to inflame community tensions to think again."