- Friday, September 06, 2024
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said those responsible for rioting in Leeds should feel the “full force of the law”
By: Shajil Kumar
FIVE people have been arrested after trouble flared in Leeds on Thursday when the police responded to a child protection issue at a house in Harehills.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned rioting on the streets of Leeds, describing it as “audacious criminality”, BBC reports.
At the city’s Elland Road police station, Cooper said those responsible should feel the “full force of the law”.
Videos on social media showed crowds of people in the streets vandalising a bus that was later set on fire and a police car flipped over.
Cooper said she has contacted police officers and community leaders to know about the remedial actions being taken.
West Yorkshire Police said they were called to the area at about 17:00 BST on Thursday after social workers reported facing hostility when dealing with a child protection matter.
They came under attack when they helped social care staff to safety.
The force said “pockets of disorder” had broken out in the aftermath, with footage shared online showing a police vehicle being attacked.
As the trouble escalated large crowds gathered in nearby Harehills Road and several fires were set.
The police said officers were working to identify and apprehend those responsible and urged the people to come forward if they have any information about those involved.
As a precautionary measure, the police have increased their presence in the area.
The Leeds City Council has promised to urgently review the incident that led to Thursday’s disorder.
In a joint statement issued on behalf of the authority and the Romanian and Roma Community, it said the council will work with Romanian and Roma-led organisations, the churches, and the Honorary Consulate of Romania and other family representatives for the best interests of the family and wider Roma community.
They appealed to “all communities to remain calm” to avoid a repeat of Thursday’s “distressing scenes”.
