Leeds riots dad sobs as he begs 'give me my kids back' after night of violence

A dad whose children were 'taken away by police' leading to violence and disorder on the streets of Leeds has appealed for calm, but begged for his family back.

The family congregated in the street in front of the wreckage of a burnt out double-decker bus on Friday morning.

People were warned to stay indoors after rioting broke out in the Harehills area of Leeds on Thursday at around 5pm, with a police car overturned with its sirens still activating. It's believed violence flared after four children were taken away from an address by the local authority placed into care.

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Their parents were left left crying and collapsed on the street. Locals went on to clash with police, with the empty patrol car overturned and attacked with prams and bricks.

One local claimed the driver of the bus set on fire was told to 'save your life' and get out.

The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemned the 'shocking scenes and attacks'. She said on X: "I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles and public transport in Leeds. Disorder of this nature has no place in our society."‌

On social media, footage appears to show two men trying to set the bus alight, one from the side door. The fire service were only able to attend the scene under police escort hours later.

First Bus confirmed one of its vehicles was set on fire with another caught up in the chaos, but said the vehicles were empty of passengers and both drivers were unhurt. Locals this morning claimed the disorder broke out after social services and police took away four children from a family.

West Yorkshire Police said officers had safely