Harehills riot

The Harehills riot took place in the troubled Leeds district of Harehills (West Yorkshire, England) in 2001. The riot occurred after the arrest of an Asian man by the West Yorkshire Police. The West Yorkshire Police, later stated that the 'racial motive' was just an excuse to legitimise criminal behaviour. More then 150 Asian youths were involved in the six hour long rioting. It was the first rioting in Leeds since the Chapeltown riots of 1987. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1372301.stm] The Police Officer, in question over the alleged wrongfull arrest was later cleared of any wrong doing. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2890097.stm]

Wrongful arrest allegations

The wrongful arrest allegations, centre over a Hossein Miah, who was arrested over a suspicious tax disc, Mr Miah alleged that the arresting officer pulled him from his vehicle causing him injury. The Police Complaints Authority dropped his case, but expressed regret over the handling of the case. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2890097.stm] [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010607/ai_n14390492]

tart of rioting

Sporadic unrest had already begun in the area when a hoax 999 call was made saying a police officer had been hit by a petrol bomb. The police could not locate this however the call lured them into Bandstead Park, where they were met by a barricade of burning washing machines and furniture, looted from a nearby second hand shop. It was in Bandstead Park where most of the confrontation took place. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010607/ai_n14390492]

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Over the course of the rioting 25 cars were burnt out, two police officers and two journalists were severely injured, a shop was set a light. Both police officers and members of the public were pelted with bottles and bricks. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2890097.stm] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1477219.stm]

Aftermath

Many arrests took place following the rioting, local shops were advised only to secure their premises and not to reglaze, as the police feared more rioting would take place, however the riot seemed to be an isolated incident and the violence did not continue.

ee also

*Harehills
*West Yorkshire Police
*Chapeltown riot (1975)
*Chapeltown riot (1981)
*Chapeltown riot (1987)
*List of race riots

References