Britain’s night of chaos as Leeds burns, London violence erupts and teen stabbed

Britain has endured a night of chaos after violence flared in both Leeds and London, while in Greater Manchester a young man was left injured when he was stabbed in Wigan.

Shocking footage showed large numbers of youths surrounding a bus in Leeds which was eventually set on fire.

Another clip showed a police car being rolled onto its side, with recently appointed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper among those to condemn the violence.

In the East End, officers were forced to intervene after a large ground of men descended on a business park in chaotic scenes.

Two men were arrested after the knife attack in Wigan, which resulted in a teenager needing hospital treatment.

Leeds violence condemned by Yvette Cooper

Vehicles including a bus were set on fire and a police car overturned as serious public order erupted in the west Yorkshire City.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned what she called "shocking scenes and attacks" in Harehills in the east of the city, where there was a "large" police presence on Thursday evening, with helicopters deployed.

One local restaurant owner claimed the violent chaos was triggered by local children being taken into care, with some people in the community responding by setting fires and "throwing stones".

Livestream footage on social media showed vehicles, including the bus, in flames. while clips showed an overturned police car on the road with its blue lights flashing, sirens blaring, car alarms going off and crowds of people in the street - some of them shouting.

Posting on X, Ms Cooper said: "I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & public transport in Leeds tonight. Disorder of this nature has no place in our society."

Riesa, a pharmacy dispenser who did not want to provide her last name, estimated a thousand people had been involved.

She added: "They were attacking police cars, throwing things at the police cars - anything they could pick up off the floor really. Rocks from the garden, rubbish, drinks, anything.”

A spokesman for First Bus in Leeds said: "Two of our vehicles have been caught up in the public disorder in the Harehills area of Leeds this evening.

"We can confirm that both drivers are unhurt and we have no reports of injuries to passengers.”

Police intervene in Whitechapel as scores stage pitched battle

In London, shocking footage shared apparently showed large numbers of men clashing with police in Whitechapel in London’s East End.

Footage shows a police car and a police van, with officers dealing with a mob of youths, with police attempting to arrest one man in front of Micro Business Park on Greatorex Street.

In a second clip, believed to have been shot earlier and shared by right-wing political commentator Darren Grimes, scores of men, some carrying lumps of wood, are involved in what appears to be a pitched battle, with objects flying through the air.

Mr Grimes commented “The scene in #Whitechapel, London moments before the police arrived tonight.

“Scores of men with weapons charging at an office building over Bangladeshi politics. Not Britain’s.”

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who is in charge of policing in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, said: “This was a serious incident and had it not been for the decisive intervention of local officers and other Met colleagues it could well have resulted in more serious injuries, further damage or worse.

“I recognise that events that take place in Bangladesh can have a significant impact on communities here in Tower Hamlets, but we cannot allow that strength of feeling to tip into threats, violence and disorder.”

Teenager treated in hospital after Wigan stabbing

Separately, two men were arrested after a teenager was stabbed in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

The attack occurred yesterday afternoon in Market Street, with the 19-year-old victim taken to hospital for treatment, although his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Two men aged 19 and 30 were detained on suspicion of attempted murder, with a knife also recovered.

Inspector Sam Davies said: “Officers responded to the incident immediately and pursued the offenders. Both suspects remain in our custody and a knife has been recovered.

"Another of our officers provided first aid to the victim, who has been taken to hospital for treatment.

"Whilst the incident will undoubtedly cause concern, I want to highlight the positive response provided by police and reassure the public that we treat incidents of this nature extremely seriously."