Last night’s rioting – the third time in just over two decades that the ethnically diverse Leeds suburb has been blighted by lawlessness – came as members of the Roma community complained about being ‘persecuted’ by police.
Indeed just last year an official report aimed at tackling problems they face told of their ‘fierce pride’ – and how ‘a problem for one member of the community was seen as a problem for all’.
The ethnic minority, who are widely subjected to discrimination and poverty throughout Europe, are just the latest to settle in Harehills.
Many have large families, and around 5,000 Roma are now believed to live in the deprived neighbourhood, attracted by its spacious three-story terraces and low house prices.
Last night’s angry and indefensible attack on police and social workers trying to protect children from a Roma family over welfare concerns appears to have ignited underlying allegations of racism and persecution at the hands of the authorities.
Local people watch the clean up as police patrol Harehills neighbourhood after last night’s civil unrest
Local people look on at the scene following riots in the city of Leeds last night
Forensic scientists examine a burnt out bus, as police patrol the Harehills neighbourhood
Local people watch the clean up as police patrol Harehills neighbourhood
Forensic scientists examine a burnt out bus, as police patrol the Harehills neighbourhood after last night’s civil unrest
Police horses at the scene in Leeds after riots caused chaos in the city last night
Neighbours watch the clean up as police patrol Harehills neighbourhood
Today one community leader told the Mail: ‘We are persecuted at home and now here.
‘The police should not have taken the children away, it is upsetting for the parents and family and children.’
Indeed research by Leeds City Council aimed at boosting integration of Roma families tells of their ‘fierce pride’ – and, tellingly given last night’s shocking events, how ‘a problem for one member of the community, was seen as a problem for all’.
The report’s authors say: ‘We were told about the fierce pride the Roma community had for their culture and heritage.
‘This had remained despite the challenges, and the stigma and discrimination, they have faced.
‘We were told about how community members would show great support for one another.’
Harehills has long been one of the most ethnically diverse areas of Leeds.
At the last Census in 2021, 38 per cent of residents of Harehills and neighbouring Gipton described themselves as being from Asian backgrounds, 36 per white and 17 per cent black.
It has also been ranked as the most deprived neighbourhood in the West Yorkshire city with among the highest levels of unemployment, crime and poor health.
Police horses attend the scene following the violent riots in Leeds yesterday evening
Local people watch the clean up in Leeds today following a night of chaos and violence
Police tape cordons off the remains of a burnt out bus after civil disturbance last night
Local people watch the clean up as police patrol Harehills neighbourhood after last night’s civil unrest
At least twice before, violence and ill-feeling towards police has spilled out into street violence.
In 2001, hundreds of men went on the rampage in Harehills following the wrongful arrest of an Asian man, Hossein Miah.
Officers were lured to nearby Banstead Park over a false report that one had been hit by a petrol bomb.
A multi-ethnic mob then barricaded police with burning furniture from a second-hand store nearby as well as washing machines.
Over 20 cars were torched, 23 officers and a journalist were hurt and a shop was burnt down, with damage put at £500,000.
Twenty-five men were later given jail sentences for what a judge branded ‘violence for the sake of violence’.
Then on Bonfire Night in 2019, terrified Harehills residents cowered indoors as police were forced to battle a five-hour siege by yobs armed with fireworks, bricks and axes.
As with last night’s disorder, locals bravely tried to defend police, with six officers injured.
Three of the rioters were later given jail sentences totalling seven years.
However on the 20th anniversary of the 2001 riots, there were warnings that little had changed.
One business owner told Leeds Live: ‘It’s the same, it hasn’t changed a bit.’
A local resident complained about ‘blatant’ drug dealing, adding: ‘The police are present sometimes but I don’t think it’s enough.’