Leeds riots: Double-decker bus explodes into flames after angry thugs set fires in road
Video footage shows mass crowds gathering and smashing up windows of police vehicles amid the large-scale disorder in Harehills, Leeds, on Thursday.
A double-decker bus became a towering inferno as Leeds was gripped by riots and spiralling violence on Thursday night.
Enraged rioters ignited monumental blazes, turning the streets of Harehills into a battleground, as police cars were brazenly vandalised and shattered amid the chaos.
As social platforms flooded with clips depicting the pandemonium, viewers watched hordes wreak havoc, laying waste to police car windows. The boys in blue took to their shields, pressing back against the swell of anarchy with riot vans at the ready.
Echoes of 'mayhem' and 'a riot' bounced across the digital expanse as netizens painted the town red online. Frenzied footage laid bare the savagery of scooters and bikes turned weapons, buggies and bats wielded with reckless abandon, culminating in the merciless toppling of a patrol vehicle.
The upheaval reportedly kicked off around 5pm, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Allegations swirled of a clash, agency folks and kids knotted into the fray. More feet flocked to the flashpoint, disorder mushrooming in pocket-sized eruptions.
The turmoil hadn't subsided even when the clock struck ten.
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."
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles and public transport in Leeds tonight.
"Disorder of this nature has no place in our society. My thanks go to West Yorkshire police for their response. I am being kept regularly updated."
