Leeds Harehills riot major update as Roma community 'warned' over 'family matter' violence

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A warning has been issued after multi-ethnic neighbourhood Harehills erupted into violence in Leeds over a ‘family matter’.

By Alex Evans, Deputy Audience Editor

21:13, Fri, Jul 19, 2024 | UPDATED: 21:44, Fri, Jul 19, 2024

Police in Harehills cleaning up the mess tonight (Image: Getty)

A violent riot which saw police chased from the streets of ‘lawless’ Leeds has led to a warning to the Roma community after a ‘family matter’ inspired sickening mob destruction.

Harehills become a battleground on Thursday night as tensions boiled over after a social worker visited a family to remove several children. Scenes quickly became ugly as violent resistance saw a police car flipped and officers hit with missiles and bricks.

Angry gangs escalated the horror scenes as they torched a double decker bus with passengers onboard, chased police from the street and set fire to houses.

Today, Leeds Council has put its foot down over the wave of mob clashes after meeting with the Roma community.

The authority has ordered an ‘urgent review’ of what happened in the northern English city and appealed to the ‘Roma and Romani community’ not to undo its hard work for the ‘best interests of the family and the wider Roma community’.

Harehills communities have been warned (Image: Getty)

A Leeds Council statement said: “Today, representatives of the Roma community met with Leeds City Council to express their concerns about a family matter yesterday (18 July 2024).

“The council has agreed to undertake an urgent review of the case and 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.

“We are asking all communities to remain calm and to ensure that we do not see further disturbances such as those witnessed last night, which brought fear and upset to communities in Harehills. Local people are devastated by what happened, and we want to ensure there is no repeat of the distressing scenes we saw.

“Such actions will have a long lasting and harmful impact on our community.

“The Romanian and Roma community have played a fantastic role in the community and have contributed much to the diversity and richness of the Harehills.

“We want this work to continue, and develop further work that makes Harehills an even better place to work and live. The events of last night will not help our community or the family. We need to work together with the authorities to ensure that best outcomes for the community, and to ensure our voices are heard at the highest level so we can avoid such scenarios in the future.

“Please help us by remaining calm, keeping yourselves and your children safe, and by avoiding a repeat of last night’s disturbances. This is in the best interests of the family and the wider community.”

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