Leeds riots spark furious Nigel Farage warning as mobs drive police from 'lawless' streets
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has sounded a warning over the violent rioting which has gripped 'lawless' Leeds suburb Harehills tonight.
Leeds riot: Double-decker bus left burnt out in aftermath
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has reacted with fury after riots broke out on 'lawless' Leeds streets tonight which saw mobs flip a police car in the street and set fire to a bus.
Police were repeatedly forced to leave the area as gangs smashed a police car, flipped it over, hurled missiles at officers and then set fire to a double decker.
The rioting began after social workers were called to a family about a child's welfare, which then led to violent resistance, according to reports.
Police took agency workers and children to a safe location but officers have been forced to return several times to battle continuing violent riots which saw fires started and mobs terrorise locals.
People have been told to avoid the area entirely as police continue to battle to get the mobs under control.
Tonight, Nigel Farage tweeted: "The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."
Darren Grimes posting on X said: "Now @WestYorksPolice have been forced to LEAVE once AGAIN as cars burn and missiles are thrown at their vehicles. Lawless Leeds is burning. Britain is falling."
Home Secretary for Yvette Cooper said: "I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & 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."
West Yorkshire Polcie said: "At 5pm today (Thursday), police were called to an ongoing incident at an address in Luxor Street, Harehills.
Officers attended and found an ongoing disturbance which involved some agency workers and some children.
More people started to attend the location and a decision was made to remove the agency workers and the children to a safe place.
A crowd started to gather and more officers were requested to attend the area, where some pockets of disorder were occurring.
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.
No injuries have been reported and enquiries are ongoing at the scene."
Harehills is an infamous suburb of the UK northern city with a high proportion of people from ethnic minorities. Characterised by racial tensions, it has a long and troubled history of violent incidents, most famously the Harehills Riot of 2001.
That day, rioters clashed with police for seven hours after the wrongful arrest of an Asian man. A total of 26 people were jailed.
