Chaos and violence on streets of Leeds

Riots have broken out on the streets of Leeds following a disturbance involving social services and children.

Dozens of police units swarmed a residential street in Harehills, after groups of people gathered in the area, overturning a police car and smashing it up with scooters, prams and bikes. Elsewhere, a double-decker bus was set alight.

Police have said that no one has been reported injured so far, adding they believe the disorder was "instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations".

The mass riot is believed to have broken out after social services took away four children from a family. Chaos soon ensued and police backup was requested.

Many of the rioters live-streamed the chaotic scenes on TikTok and Facebook Live. In various videos, large groups of people can be seen rioting, shouting, and smashing up a police car with various objects including a pram. A group of youths can be seen smashing the windows and throwing objects at it, whilst officers sat inside.

In footage from later on in the evening, a group of men could be seen setting a large double-decker bus ablaze using lighters, with it later being reduced to a charred wreck. The driver abandoned the vehicle with a police helicopter soon flying over the scene.

West Yorkshire Police issued a statement where they strongly discouraged people from speculating on the cause of the unrest, and have dispelled "incorrect information" which is circulating online about the potential culprits.

Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, has also urged the public to refrain from speculating and sharing unproven information online.