According to West Yorkshire Police, the riots started on Thursday night in Harehills, in the east of the city, as they responded to complaints that social workers were being hostile toward them while handling a child protection matter.
Following violent scenes in a suburb of Leeds, five people have been taken into custody, and police have promised additional arrests as part of their “relentless” investigation.
West Yorkshire Police said that when officers were summoned to support social workers who were encountering hostility during a child protection case, rioting broke out in Harehills, on the east side of the city, on Thursday night.
Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said that before the situation worsened and individuals began setting fires and damaging cars, officers on the site were attacked and had to carry social workers to safety.
Following their deployment, specialized public order officers encountered a “barrage of bricks and missiles” from a sizable gathering.
In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Mr. Twiggs said that it was decided to temporarily remove the policemen when it became “evident that the police was their sole target”.
“We have made a number of arrests in connection with the breakout of disorder in Harehills last night with five people taken into custody,” he stated in a Friday evening statement.
“Major Enquiry Team officers are working hard to piece together the circumstances leading up to the disorder, and teams have been sent in to apprehend those who have been identified.” We are currently making arrests and will be doing so for the foreseeable future.
“Our investigation will be unrelenting toward those accountable for the criminal activity observed in Harehills, and I implore you to act honorably and turn yourself in to the police while you still have the chance.”
“I also issue the same message to the parents of those young people involved, to make contact with the police now.”
The “full force of the law” should be applied to those responsible for the havoc, according to the Home Secretary, following what she called “audacious criminality”.
Following her meeting with West Yorkshire Police officers and prominent members of the community, Yvette Cooper talked with the BBC in Leeds.
Asked about the social media images that appeared to show children being taken from their homes and the outcry from the community, she responded, “I think what we saw last night was the scenes of criminality with the bus being set alight, with the attack on the police cars.” Additionally, there have been some problems with false information regarding the need for the police to respond to a complicated child protection event.”
She said that “really shocking scenes of audacious criminality” would have been making the rounds online.
On Thursday night, amid heavy police activity and helicopter monitoring, a bus caught fire, a police vehicle overturned, and residents were urged to stay inside.
Four police officers were stationed close to the burnt remnants of a bus on Foundry Approach on Friday morning.
While several bystanders assembled to observe the aftermath, a group of distraught people who were presumably involved in the previous altercation were observed gathering on a nearby patch of grass.
Gipton and Harehills Green Party councillor Mothin Ali described the chaos and urged the neighborhood to calm down and come together after it was over.
Speaking to the media on Friday, he described the situation as “pure chaos.” It was very disorganized. We attempted to calm people down and serve as a protective barrier while also attempting to shelter the police and serve as human shields for them because they were being attacked with bricks and bottles and lacked helmets and shields.”
Although Ali recognized that the local neighborhood enforcement team worked really hard to “not escalate things” and commended them for it, he also conceded that the decision to retreat during the initial disturbance might not have been the best one.
“Letting things fade away was the plan, rather than trying to provoke conflict. Though we may critique that in retrospect, it’s difficult when they’re making the choice,” he thought.
“I don’t know who was in charge but I’d like to speak to them.”
He emphasized that arrests should “definitely” be made and noted that the police were outnumbered and without assistance during the pandemonium.
“There were people who were legitimately angry but there were people who were, as well, wanting to cause trouble,” he said.
“While expressing legitimate indignation is acceptable, attacking a bus carrying innocent people is not. All I can hope is that everyone remains composed. All I ask is that people never forget that we are a community. Let’s get together and work together to clean up this disaster that is on our streets.”
Several neighbors described the chaos as they expressed their disbelief.
Paul, who would rather go by his first name, described the situation as follows: “The police had to return to the van even though they were trying to hold their ground. The bus catching fire when it went up was the most unexpected event. Everyone fled after there was a loud bang.”
“It bothers me that my children are around this. It’s simply incorrect. After that one instance, I believe everyone went on the bandwagon. Not just one person, I believe; I believe everyone saw it as a justification to poke fun at the cops.”
Locals were also concerned about more disturbance. “I think it’ll start again because of the tension,” Paul said nervously. There’s still that tension.”
Another woman, who chose to stay nameless, talked about how she was afraid things might get worse. She revealed that the news of the burning bus had given her a panic attack as she was accompanying her companion home.
The fear was also expressed by her friend, who said, “I was scared they were going to come up our street, torch all the cars and maybe my house.”
After chaos broke out in Leeds, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has given her entire support behind the police force’s efforts to put a stop to rioters.
In a stern statement, she said: “The scenes of criminality and disorder in Leeds last night were disgraceful, including attacks on police vehicles and public transport, and will have been very distressing for local residents.”
She went on to say that the culprits “Those responsible must face the full force of the law and West Yorkshire Police have my support in pursuing the perpetrators and taking the strongest possible action against them.”
Mayor Tracy Brabin of West Yorkshire also strongly denounced the unrest, saying that this kind of anarchy is intolerable.
She said in her statement: “I am absolutely appalled by the violent and thoughtless actions witnessed in Harehills last night.”
Pharmacy employee Riesa, who wished to remain anonymous, related what she saw to PA, characterizing the unsettling incidents as “quite violent”.
The 26-year-old, who lives in a neighborhood next to Harehills Lane, said, “They were really throwing anything they could pick up off the floor at the police cars and attacking them.” everything, including garden stones, trash, and beverages.”
She later compared the sounds of “a thousand people” to the “chanting and screaming” that was coming from the streets, disturbing her.
She recalled seeing “big black smoke coming from the main road” as insurgents were “pulling bins from people’s businesses or houses and just putting them into the middle of the road full of rubbish and just setting it on fire”.
RELATED: LEED AND WORLD CLASS STARLET OFFICIALLY REACH A MULTI-MILLION CONTRACT AGREEMENT.
If Jayden Bogle’s transfer from Sheffield United goes as planned, he will ink a four-year deal with Leeds United, TEAMtalk reports.
On July 20, the outlet posted a story on its website stating that they had confirmation from sources that the Blades and the right-back have reached an agreement to bring the player to Elland Road this summer.
Bogle has stated that he wants to play for Daniel Farke, and according to rumors, the Whites will pay him around £5 million in exchange for his signature. A medical exam is set for this Saturday [Graham Smyth, 20 July].
Finding a new right-back this summer was Leeds United’s top priority, and supporters couldn’t have cared if the player was on a long-term loan or on a season-long loan.
However, if the Whites are able to sign a very promising full-back to a four-year contract in addition to resolving their biggest defensive issue this summer, then this will ultimately be excellent business.
Bogle was one of the better Blades players in an otherwise dismal season, despite Sheffield United’s struggles in the Premier League.
He may move up to the Premier League with the Whites if Leeds were to earn promotion this season.
Hopefully, the last details of the transfer will be settled upon swiftly and there won’t be any unforeseen problems that could jeopardize the agreement later on. Although it might not be the most noteworthy addition Leeds has made this summer, it might be the most significant.
The Whites still appear to be a goal short, but after Bogle signs a deal, Farke and his recruiting staff can focus on adding a few more offensive players before the season begins.
ALSO, Liam Cooper and Blackburn Rovers in contract talk following the end of his deal with Leeds United.
After Liam Cooper’s contract with Leeds United expired, Blackburn Rovers and the player are reportedly “deadlocked” in contract negotiations, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.
Despite early hopes that the deal would close swiftly, the two parties have not yet come to an agreement to bring the Scottish international to Ewood Park, the publication said on its website on Friday, July 19.
Cooper wants to play regularly for the first team this season, but other teams are still interested in signing him this summer. Therefore, extending his stay at Elland Road is still an option.
The 32-year-old has been offered a one-year contract by Blackburn, with an automatic one-year extension if he makes a specific amount of appearances. The precise numbers, though, have not yet been decided.
Although most Leeds United fans have come to terms with the fact that Cooper’s time at Elland Road is almost done, the most recent developments suggest that his future may not be as certain.
The Scotsman may be able to play every week under Blackburn’s plan, but he will also have to accept a significant wage reduction, and any further injuries may make it more difficult for him to secure a new deal.
He is considerably less likely to play more than a supporting role under Daniel Farke, but he will get paid more and have the chance to help Leeds win the Premier League again.
Which offer the 32-year-old will accept in the upcoming weeks is yet unknown. The Whites will be hoping that he decides quickly because Cooper’s final destination may have an effect on the rest of their transfer transaction.
It seems unlikely that a new center-back will be prioritized if he signs on and provides another defensive alternative. But Farke might feel the need for more support if he follows Charlie Cresswell out the exit door.
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