On Thursday (18th July) evening, violence broke out in the Harehills suburb in Leeds city in Yorkshire county of England.
In visuals that have surfaced on social media, a frenzied mob was seen setting a bus on fire. The rioters also overturned a police car, broke the glass windows of another police vehicle and endangered the lives of officers seated inside it.
The cops were attacked with rocks and missiles. One rioter went on to use a child’s scooter to hammer it against a police car’s window. The police tried to pacify the violent mob but had to eventually flee the scene.
The complete breakdown of law and order in Leeds occurred after the social services took four children away from a family of Eastern European descent.
As per reports, one of the children was hospitalised a few days ago after being hurt by one of his siblings. The matter was reported to the police, which then notified the social services.
When the government agency workers removed the children on Thursday (18th July) evening, they faced attacks from the family and other inhabitants of the Harehills suburb.
While speaking about the matter, the West Yorkshire police said that the riots were orchestrated by a ‘criminal minority’ hellbent on creating communal disturbance in the Harehills suburb of Leeds.
“We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible. Police can also confirm that no-one has so far been reported to have been hurt in the disorder and police are treating the matter as a serious public order incident,” the statement said.
The cops further added, “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.”
Reportedly, Harehills has a long history of violence and racial tension. The suburb is home to immigrants, especially people of Pakistani origin.
England: ‘Criminal minority’ run riots in Leeds, attack police and carry out arson (opindia.com)