Last night in Leeds, UK, chaos erupted as a large crowd gathered in the city center and started rioting. People set a bus on fire and attacked police vehicles. Videos circulating on social media show children amidst the crowd of rioters.
The riots are reportedly a response to a local child care agency’s decision to separate children from their parents and place them in child care homes. This act triggered the public outcry resulting in street protests.
West Yorkshire Police report that the mob began to gather on Luxury Street in the Harehills area at five PM local time last Thursday, including some children. The crowd quickly turned hostile and riots broke out. However, there have been no reports of injuries so far.
Social media footage reveals people assaulting police cars, and flipping a police van, after breaking its windows.
In one video, a person is seen setting a bus on fire while others throw garbage. Another video shows people tossing a large refrigerator into a fire on the street. Due to these riots, many roads were blocked, and the public was advised to avoid the area until the situation was under control.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed shock over the unrest in Leeds, assuring ongoing monitoring of the situation.
Source: aajtak
What did an eyewitness say about the riots?
Reesa, a 26-year-old resident, reported that rioters were also attacking police vans. They threw everything from stones to drinks and garbage at the police vehicles.
Source: aajtak
Reesa explained that rioters surrounded a bus in the area. Although the bus driver tried to escape the hostile scene, he eventually had to abandon the bus and flee to save his own life.
Gipton and Harehills councilor Salma Arif urged locals to stay indoors, posting a video statement indicating that the situation in Harehills was not safe.
Why did the Leeds riots occur?
It is being suggested that children are being placed in child care homes by the local child care agency after being separated from their parents. In recent days, several children have been placed in these homes. This happens when the administration believes a child’s upbringing is not being properly managed by their family members, leading to this protective measure. It is this removal that has provoked public demonstrations on the streets.
