Riots Erupt in Leeds: Police Vehicles Overturned and Bus Set Ablaze
Several arrests followed a riot in Leeds, marked by a double-decker bus fire and police vehicle damage. West Yorkshire Police made numerous arrests and plans more in the coming days. The incident sparked debate, with far-right leader Nigel Farage and Labour MP Alex Sobel clashing over its narrative.
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Several individuals were detained after a double-decker bus was set ablaze and a police vehicle overturned during a riot in Leeds, northern England. The local council termed it a "family incident".
Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs of West Yorkshire Police reported multiple arrests made and anticipated further arrests over the following days. Specialist officers, initially targeted amid the unrest, temporarily withdrew but returned to extinguish fires and restore order.
Far-right Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faced criticism for attributing the clashes to "politics of the subcontinent". Labour MP Alex Sobel accused him of inflaming the situation. Leeds Council emphasized the incident was a misinterpreted family matter, with social services intervening for child safety. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the violence.
(With inputs from agencies.)