Police in Leeds have begged locals to stay at home as they battle to disperse rioters from the area after a disturbance escalated into a full-blown riot.

Chaos has erupted on a residential street in the northern city after police were called to a disturbance involving ‘agency workers and children’ – with a police car overturned, a double decker bus sent up in flames and bonfires set in the streets.

Shocking video footage circulating online shows large crowds of people gathered in the Harehills area of the northern city, where thugs overturned and smashed up a police car with scooters, prams and bikes. 

Locals were also seen running towards a fire started in the middle of the road with a large fridge, which they hurled onto the fire as locals cheered. Images later showed the double decker bus reduced to a charred and twisted wreck.

Senior officers and local councillors have urged people to go home as dozens of police, including cops in riot gear, flooded the streets around Harehills and roads were closed off.

But locals have continued to turn out in the area, with many livestreaming footage of the stand-off on social media. 

Rioters have set a bus on fire in Leeds after a disturbance involving 'agency workers and children' descended into a riot

Rioters have set a bus on fire in Leeds after a disturbance involving ‘agency workers and children’ descended into a riot

The double decker bus was left a twisted and smouldering wreck after it was set alight

The double decker bus was left a twisted and smouldering wreck after it was set alight

The double decker bus was left a twisted and smouldering wreck after it was set alight

Locals stand watching a bonfire in the street in Harehills, Leeds. Police have urged locals to disperse

Locals stand watching a bonfire in the street in Harehills, Leeds. Police have urged locals to disperse

Locals stand watching a bonfire in the street in Harehills, Leeds. Police have urged locals to disperse

Riot officers are seen at the scene in Harehills as the disturbance continued

Riot officers are seen at the scene in Harehills as the disturbance continued

Scores of people have turned out on the streets

Scores of people have turned out on the streets

Riot officers are seen at the scene in Harehills as the disturbance continued. Scores of people have turned out on the streets

A police car has been overturned as disorder broke out in the street in Harehills, Leeds

A police car has been overturned as disorder broke out in the street in Harehills, Leeds

A police car has been overturned as disorder broke out in the street in Harehills, Leeds 

Locals were seen rushing towards a fire with what appears to be a fridge

Locals were seen rushing towards a fire with what appears to be a fridge

They then hurl the appliance into the blaze as locals cheer

They then hurl the appliance into the blaze as locals cheer

 Locals were seen rushing towards a fire with what appears to be a fridge (left). They then hurl the appliance into the blaze as locals cheer (right)

The scene around the Compton Road area of Harehills, where vehicles have been set on fire

The scene around the Compton Road area of Harehills, where vehicles have been set on fire

The scene around the Compton Road area of Harehills, where vehicles have been set on fire

Harehills resembles a warzone, with one police vehicle overturned and a bonfire started at a road junction

Harehills resembles a warzone, with one police vehicle overturned and a bonfire started at a road junction

Harehills resembles a warzone, with one police vehicle overturned and a bonfire started at a road junction

Harehills resembles a warzone, with one police vehicle overturned and a bonfire started at a road junction.

MailOnline has contacted First Bus, which operates Leeds’ bus services, for a statement on the vehicle that was set alight. 

Police say they were called to a disturbance involving ‘agency workers and children’ at a property in Luxor Street at 5pm.

They then made a decision to ‘remove the agency workers and the children’ from the area – as locals turned violent and more officers were sent to the scene.

Video footage widely shared on social media, shows large groups of people rioting, shouting and smashing up a police car. 

Some locals have been livestreaming footage of the incident on TikTok and Facebook Live. 

Large crowds gathered at the scene as police officers attend a disturbance at a property in Luxor Street, Harehills, Leeds at 5pm

Large crowds gathered at the scene as police officers attend a disturbance at a property in Luxor Street, Harehills, Leeds at 5pm

Large crowds gathered at the scene as police officers attend a disturbance at a property in Luxor Street, Harehills, Leeds at 5pm

A man makes an offensive gesture at a police officer. West Yorkshire Police has sent dozens of officers to the scene and closed roads

A man makes an offensive gesture at a police officer. West Yorkshire Police has sent dozens of officers to the scene and closed roads

A man makes an offensive gesture at a police officer. West Yorkshire Police has sent dozens of officers to the scene and closed roads

A man uses a scooter to smash up a police car as people watch and film on their mobile phones

A man uses a scooter to smash up a police car as people watch and film on their mobile phones

A man uses a scooter to smash up a police car as people watch and film on their mobile phones

A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'We are aware of a fire in the open in Harehills, Leeds at present. As it stands the fire in the street is not impacting on public safety or buildings and as such we are allowing it to burn its self out'

A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'We are aware of a fire in the open in Harehills, Leeds at present. As it stands the fire in the street is not impacting on public safety or buildings and as such we are allowing it to burn its self out'

A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We are aware of a fire in the open in Harehills, Leeds at present. As it stands the fire in the street is not impacting on public safety or buildings and as such we are allowing it to burn its self out’

In one video, a child can be seen picking up a scooter and throwing it at a police car, while a man joins in and repeatedly smashes the car with a broken pram.

In another video, a group can be seen overturning a police car as the crowd shouts and some whistle and cheer. 

Cllr Salma Arif, the local representative for the area on Leeds City Council, has posted a video with a West Yorkshire Police inspector on X urging people to stay home.

The Labour councillor said: ‘There is an ongoing situation currently in Harehills… we are asking everyone in the area to please stay home at this point in time.’

Inspector Nicolls, the East Leeds neighbourhood police inspector, added in the clip: ‘ If you can all just stay where you are, stay in your houses, we will manage this.

‘If you are in the crowd I would ask you to go home please, so we can keep everyone safe, thank you.’

Despite there being conflicting reports about what triggered the shameful riots, prominent political figures including Reform Leader Nigel Farage condemned the behaviour as ‘the politics of the subcontinent’. 

‘The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,’ the Clacton MP tweeted.

Leeds East MP Richard Burgon said: ‘I am on my way back to Leeds from Parliament and am in touch with the police and concerned residents about the on-going incident in Harehills. 

‘The police say no injuries have been reported but are advising people to avoid the area at the moment if possible.’

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was ‘appalled’ by the ‘shocking scenes’ and ‘attacks’ in Leeds.

‘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,’ she tweeted.

Police officers deal with the large crowd of people gathered at the scene

Police officers deal with the large crowd of people gathered at the scene

Police officers deal with the large crowd of people gathered at the scene 

Police officers attempt to control the crowd of people that had gathered at the address

Police officers attempt to control the crowd of people that had gathered at the address

Police officers attempt to control the crowd of people that had gathered at the address

A child was seen punching a police car which had arrived at the scene

A child was seen punching a police car which had arrived at the scene

A child was seen punching a police car which had arrived at the scene 

Glass and debris lies on the street as gangs of thugs smash up a police car

Glass and debris lies on the street as gangs of thugs smash up a police car

Glass and debris lies on the street as gangs of thugs smash up a police car 

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE; Serious Public Disorder in Harehills in Leeds; police vehicles attacked & overturned; absolute MAYHEM & MADNESS👇🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️pic.twitter.com/ONA5xeHcqr

— Norman Brennan (@NormanBrennan) July 18, 2024

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: ‘At 5pm today, police were called to an ongoing disturbance 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.’

Despite there being conflicting reports about what triggered the shameful riots, prominent political figures including Reform Leader Nigel Farage condemned the behaviour as 'the politics of the subcontinent'

Despite there being conflicting reports about what triggered the shameful riots, prominent political figures including Reform Leader Nigel Farage condemned the behaviour as 'the politics of the subcontinent'

Despite there being conflicting reports about what triggered the shameful riots, prominent political figures including Reform Leader Nigel Farage condemned the behaviour as ‘the politics of the subcontinent’

A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We are aware of a fire in the open in Harehills, Leeds at present. 

‘As it stands the fire in the street is not impacting on public safety or buildings and as such we are allowing it to burn its self out.

‘We will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police who are leading this incident.’

A number of roads have been closed and people have been urged to avoid the area. 

Police remain at the scene this evening. Leeds City Council was contacted for comment.



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