Moment rioters set FIRE to a fridge in Leeds streets after overturning police car following disturbance in Harehill

This is the moment rioters set fire to a fridge in Leeds after overturning a police car.

Video shows a crowd of people gathered around a huge blaze before three men run full-pelt at it carrying a fridge-freezer, dumping it in the flames and dashing away.

It adds to the chaos in the northern city after police were called to a disturbance at a property in a row that descended into public rioting in the same area.

On that occasion, locals overturned a police car and started a bonfire in the street.

Large crowds of people gathered in the Harehills area to smash up the police car with scooters, prams and bikes.

Police said they were called to a disturbance involving 'agency workers and children' at a property in Luxor Street at 5pm.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a large crowd gathered at the address and a decision was made to take the agency workers and children to a safe space.

Disorder broke out and more officers were requested to attend the scene.

Video footage widely shared on social media shows large groups of people rioting, shouting and smashing up a police car. 

Some locals have been live streaming footage of the incident on TikTok and Facebook Live. 

In one video, a child can be seen picking up a scooter and throwing it at a police car, while a man joins in and repeatedly smashes the car with a broken pram.

In another video, a group can be seen overturning a police car as the crowd shouts and some whistle and cheer. 

Cllr Salma Arif, the local representative for the area on Leeds City Council, has posted a video with a West Yorkshire Police inspector on X urging people to stay home.

The Labour councillor said: 'There is an ongoing situation currently in Harehills... we are asking everyone in the area to please stay home at this point in time.'

Inspector Nicolls, the East Leeds neighbourhood police inspector, added in the clip: ' If you can all just stay where you are, stay in your houses, we will manage this.

'If you are in the crowd I would ask you to go home please, so we can keep everyone safe, thank you.'

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: 'At 5pm today, police were called to an ongoing disturbance at an address in Luxor Street, Harehills.

'Officers attended and found an ongoing disturbance which involved some agency workers and some children.

'More people started to attend the location and a decision was made to remove the agency workers and the children to a safe place.

'A crowd started to gather and more officers were requested to attend the area, where some pockets of disorder were occurring. 

'More officers have been deployed to the area to assist with the management of this incident. 

'Some road closures are also being implemented and people are advised to avoid the area at this time.

'No injuries have been reported and enquiries are ongoing at the scene.'

A number of roads have been closed and people have been urged to avoid the area. 

Police remain at the scene this evening.