Unrest in Leeds After Social Workers Remove Children from Romanian Families

Unrest erupted in the Harehills area of Leeds on Thursday evening, July 18th, following an incident involving social workers and a local family of Romanians, most probably of Roma ethnicity.

Details surrounding the initial event remain unclear. However, reports suggest social workers intervened with the family, possibly removing children, one of whom may have been injured. This sparked disturbances in the neighbourhood.

This was the spark that set off riots in Leeds last night.

Social services and police remove children from an imported family, clearly a safeguarding issue.

So the other imported families, to prove they're respectable and responsible, burn down the area. pic.twitter.com/GniNrWRLmZ

— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) July 19, 2024

While some social media reports claim those involved in the unrest spoke Romanian, as the one filming the video above, authorities have not confirmed the family’s ethnicity. British press reports have focused on the nature of the incident, describing it as “an incident involving children and social workers.”

The extent of the unrest exceeded what law enforcement expected. Residents reported seeing fires and a police car being overturned. Riot police were deployed to disperse the crowd and restore order.

British authorities, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, have condemned the violence. “The scenes witnessed in Harehills last night were appalling,” Cooper stated. “The safety and well-being of children is paramount, and any violence or intimidation is unacceptable.”

Authorities are investigating the cause of the social worker intervention and the condition of the children involved. A spokesperson for Leeds City Council stated, “We are committed to working with the local community and police to understand the events that unfolded last night. The welfare of children is our top priority, and we will ensure a thorough investigation takes place.”

This incident highlights the potential for rising tensions when social services intervene with families. While the exact details of this case remain unknown, it underscores the importance of clear communication and community engagement from social services to build trust and understanding.