THE harrowing moment which witnesses say sparked the Leeds riot shows a young boy being hauled from his home and bundled into a police van.
Hundreds of thugs wreaked havoc in the suburb of Harehills last night – torching a bus and flipping a police car.
The riot is said to have started after cops scrambled to a “disturbance” involving some agency workers and children at 5pm.
Chaos broke out after the kids were forcibly removed from their parents and taken into care, it is claimed.
Now, distressing footage has shown a policeman gripping a boy’s arms as he hauled him from the house.
An eyewitness said: “They tried to take the kids by force.”
The clip shows a mob gathering as the officer takes the boy to a police van encircled by cops.
Shouts are heard from the raging crowd as the boy is bundled inside.
Chaos continued from there – with footage showing rioters setting a bus on fire, tipping over a police car and lobbing missiles at cops.
West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council have been contacted for comment.
A cop car was smashed by thugs wielding children’s scooters before a crowd gathered to rock it onto its side in shocking scenes.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was aware of the fire – but took the decision to let it “burn itself out”.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of a fire in the open in Harehills, Leeds at present.
“As it stands the fire in the street is not impacting on public safety or buildings and as such we are allowing it to burn itself out.
“We will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police who are leading this incident.”
West Yorkshire Police reportedly drafted in riot cops from forces across Yorkshire and Manchester before restoring order.
No emergency services were allowed to enter a one mile radius of the riots before cops marched in.
A MILE away from Leeds city centre, residents in poverty-stricken Harehills claim the area is blighted by alcohol and substance abuse.
A recent spate of gangland-style stabbings and murders has left people fearing for their safety.
In September a 16-year-old was slashed on Florence Street by two men armed with machetes.
locals say shocking brawls and machete attacks are becoming increasingly commonplace.
An employee who works at a garage along the street where it happened, who didn’t wish to be named, told The Sun: “Harehills life is bulls***. I am from Belgium and I can’t believe what I’m seeing here.
“I need to move away. I came here and I’ve never seen anything like it. I feel unsafe.
“How can there be a murder on the street where you work? A murder? I thought England had high standards.”
Simanga Musipa, 48, who runs a music studio in his home on Ashton Place, told us: “I live my life too much like I lived in Zimbabwe.
“The problem around here is that there is no CCTV – the police and the council don’t do anything about the problems here.
“If you or I were to commit a crime, we would think about putting a balaclava on, but not round here.
“It all happens out in the open because there is nothing to keep an eye on anybody.
“Crimes that should be happening in other places are happening here because they are away from cameras.”
The ward of Harehills and Gipton is one of Leeds’ most populous, with an estimated 30,879 people living in and around the streets, flats and housing schemes.
The high amount of rental means a lot of homes are neglected, and living in such close quarters has led to an inflated crime rate of 241.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. The national average is 75.88.
The area is renowned for its mass riots in June 2001, as well as the killing of a 20-year-old man, Adam Chadwick, shot in 2008 in a case of mistaken identity.
In 2007, a 14-year-old girl, Zuzanna Zommer, was sexually assaulted and murdered in a frenzied attack by her neighbour, convicted rapist Michael Clark.
Violent crime remains the biggest issue, with 3,122 incidents reported in 12 months up to June this year, along with concerning numbers across public order offences (963 incidents), criminal damage (642 incidents) and antisocial behaviour (517 incidents).
In 2021 a 19-year-old was jailed for punching an off-licence owner and threatening him with a machete in a row over a £3.75 drink, before using it to cause £3,000 worth of damage by smashing up the shop doors.
Meanwhile Harehills’ drug crime rate equates to more than one offence every day (389 incidents).
Last night West Yorkshire Police said: “We are continuing to attend to a serious disorder incident in the Harehills area this evening.
“A large number of public order officers have been deployed to the location in what remains an ongoing incident.
“We wish to reassure residents we are responding to the disorder incidents which have taken place.
“Appropriate specialist public order resources are attending. Officers are also reviewing footage which has circulated on social media showing offending.
“All criminal offences, including damage to vehicles from fire, will be fully investigated by detectives from Leeds CID and the force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.
“We want to make it very clear that the full weight of the law will be brought against those responsible.
“Police can also confirm that no-one has so far been reported to have been hurt in the disorder and police are treating the matter as a serious public order incident.
“Residents who have perhaps gathered to observe the incidents are asked to keep away from the disorder while officers manage the incident.
“We would strongly discourage residents from speculating on the cause of this disorder.
“We believe it has been instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations.
“Officers are aware of incorrect information circulating on social media suggesting persons potentially responsible.
“Members of the public who have reported incidents so far are thanked for their reports.
“We want to encourage people to contact us with information and footage of offenders.
“A specialised website will be set up to allow these reports to be made will be set up and further details regarding this on this will follow.
“Finally, we wish to thank members of communities who are working to reassure residents and calm the situation.”
