Chaos and violence on the streets as Leeds riot sees double decker bus burned and riot police 'attacked'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Chaos and violence consumed the streets in Leeds last night as riot police were seen being attacked by a huge crowd. There were scenes of mass disorder and violence on Thursday (July 18), as troubling videos posted to social media showed a large group of people shouting and hurling various items at officers, armed with riot protection gear.

A fire in the middle of the street could also be seen burning away, with a double decker bus sent into roaring flames. Social media was filled with video footage of the disorder, showing mass crowds gathering and smashing up windows of police vehicles.

People posting about the incident said the police were 'under attack' as the West Yorkshire police force issued a key update in the early hours of this morning.

Issuing a statement after 1am, the force suggested that the turmoil in the Harehills area, which saw a bus set ablaze and a police vehicle flipped over amidst a barrage of rocks thrown at officers, is thought to have been 'instigated by a criminal minority'. READ MORE: Double decker bus set alight as huge riot and scenes of violence continue in Leeds with hundreds filling streets The disorder began after police officers responded to calls of a disturbance relating to 'agency workers' and a group of children, at 5pm on Thursday evening around Luxor Street.