Leeds riot update as local official refuses to say what sparked violence

A local politician has refused to say what triggered the riot which hit the streets of Leeds last night. Councillor Mothin Ali said the police had neither the numbers nor the support they needed during the disorder in Harehills on Thursday (July 18).

He told reporters: "It was a dangerous situation. The good thing is people were angry, but they weren’t turning on each other. They weren’t attacking other people."

Mr Ali said it would be inappropriate to comment on the incident that started the disorder, adding there should "definitely" be arrests in the wake of what happened.

He said: "There were people who were legitimately angry but there were people who were as well, wanting to cause trouble. Legitimate anger is appropriate, but attacking a bus with innocent people on it is not.

"I just hope everyone stays calm. I just hope everyone remembers we are a community. We’ve got this mess on our streets that needs to be cleaned up. Let’s come together, let’s unite."

A Harehills restaurant owner said the chaos was linked to children being taken into care, adding some people in the community responded by setting fires and "throwing stones".

Footage on social media showed vehicles, including a bus, ablaze, while other videos showed an overturned police car in the street with its blue lights flashing, sirens blaring, car alarms going off and crowds of people gathering - some of them shouting.

Four officers guarded the scene around a torched vehicle in Foundry Approach on Friday morning while some residents gathered to look at the damage.

A visibly emotional group of people believed to be linked to the initial incident that led to the disorder sat on a patch of grass nearby.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin condemned the "violent and thoughtless actions", adding "such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated".

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said police have her full backing in "taking the strongest possible action" against rioters.

Salma Arif, councillor for Gipton and Harehills, warned residents to stay at home in a video she posted on social media during the night's rampaging.

Riesa, a pharmacy dispenser who didn't want to give her surname, witnessed "quite violent" scenes, with people throwing items at police officers and cars.

The 26-year-old, who lives off Harehills Lane, said: "They were attacking police cars, throwing things at the police cars - anything they could pick up off the floor really. Rocks from the garden, rubbish, drinks, anything."

West Yorkshire Police said in a statement that it wanted to make it very clear the full weight of the law would be brought against those responsible.

The force confirmed nobody was reported to have been hurt in the disorder and police are treating the matter as a serious public order incident.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police urged people not to speculate about the cause of the riot.