Bus set on fire and police car flipped over as riot breaks out in Leeds

A bus has been set on fire and a police car has been flipped over as a riot broke out in Leeds.

Crowds of hundreds of people have gathered in the Harehills area, with police saying they are dealing with an “ongoing situation” – which has led to riot police descending on the scene.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had been left “appalled” by the scenes of unrest, amid what officers described as “pockets of disorder”, with councillor Salma Arif asking people to stay at home.

Livestream footage on social media appeared to show vehicles on fire, including a bus, but police said no injuries have been reported.

At 5pm in Luxor Street, officers responded to a “disturbance” which involved agency workers and “some children”.

West Yorkshire Police said crowds began to gather and a decision was taken to remove both the agency workers and the children “to a safe place”.

However, the situation escalated into the later seen riot.

The owner of a restaurant in Harehills said the disorder was linked to local children being taken into care, adding that some people responded by setting fires and “throwing stones”.

Images show one fire has been lit in the middle of a street as crowds of hundreds of people have gathered.

Barriers have been set up along the street where the disorder seems centred, and videos on social media show what appears to be a police drone in the air as well.

Other footage on social media shows a number of people trying to set fire to a bus.

Later on, towards 10pm, riot police could be seen arriving as the crowd began to disperse in places.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin took to social media to thank emergency services, adding: “I’m reassured no-one has been seriously injured but suggest those who are using this to inflame community tensions to think again.”

Local 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.”