A man has been charged with violent disorder and arson in relation to the riots in Leeds earlier this week.
Riots in the Harehills area of Leeds allegedly began on Thursday after social services in the city removed all four children from a family.
The disorder saw a bus set alight by the rioters. Tonight, West Yorkshire Police have charged a man in connection with the fire.
Iustin Dobre, aged 37, of Clifton Mount, Harehills, Leeds, has been charged with violent disorder and arson reckless as to endanger life.
He has been remanded to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
During the disorder in Leeds on Thursday night, a bus was set on fire. Tonight police have charged a man in connection with the fire
Distressing footage which emerged today shows police officers hauling a young boy out of a house and bundling him into a van
The smouldering wreckage of a bus set alight in Harehills, Leeds last night after riots brought chaos to the streets
Riots in the Hare Hill area of Leeds allegedly began last night after social services in the city removed all four children from a family
Earlier today, police arrested a further five people on suspicion of violent disorder. They remain in police custody at this time.
Four people who were initially arrested in connection with the violent disorder have been bailed pending further investigation.
Yesterday evening, a peaceful vigil was held in Harehills which passed off peacefully.
In videos shared widely on social media, members of the public at the vigil could be heard chanting ‘please bring the kids back’ – in reference to the children taken by social services on Thursday.
Another video shows locals singing along to music while people hold signs which say ‘please give back children.’
Further footage from last night shows a woman seemingly being led away by police because she was opposed to a second night of protests in Leeds.
A woman was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence, she was released and given a conditional caution.
An increased police presence remains in place in the area and will do so over the coming days.
The family, who are members of the Romani community, have committed to going on a hunger strike until their children are returned to them.
Stefania Banu, a local community leader, speaking to the the Daily Mirror said: ‘The mother and father are refusing to eat until they get their children back. We are fully supporting them.
‘We believe it was an injustice that can be rectified by the authorities if they revise the case. Which they have promised to do.’
Ms Banu went onto to say that the manner of which the children were removed from their home was ‘traumatising’ for the family.
Harrowing video footage showed a police officer hauling a young boy out of a house and bundling him into a van.
Witnesses said the removal of the child was the flashpoint which kicked off the rioting last night, with the disorder lasting for most of the night.
