Chaos has erupted on a residential street in Leeds after police were called to a disturbance at a property in a row that descended into public rioting.
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.
Police say they were called to a disturbance involving ‘agency workers and children’ at a property in Luxor Street at 5pm.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a large crowd gathered at the address and a decision was made to take the agency workers and children to a safe space.
Disorder broke out and more officers were requested to attend the scene.
Video footage, which has been shared widely on social media, shows large groups of people rioting, shouting and smashing up a police car.
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.
A police car has been overturned as disorder broke out in the street in Harehills, Leeds
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
A man uses a scooter to smash up a police car as people watch and film on their mobile phones
Glass and debris lies on the street as gangs of thugs smash up a police car
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.
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
A child was seen punching a police car which had arrived at the scene
‘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.’
A number of roads have been closed and people have been urged to avoid the area.
Police remain at the scene this evening.
