Extraordinary meeting to discuss police response to Harehills disturbance

31 July 2024

Extraordinary meeting to discuss police response to Harehills disturbance

The disturbance in Harehills will be discussed at a special meeting involving the region's political and police leaders tomorrow (Thursday 1 August).

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and her Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Alison Lowe will ask West Yorkshire Police’s chief constable John Robins to share any reflections and learning resulting from the disorder and his Force's response.

An extraordinary Community Outcomes Meeting will be held on Thursday 1 August and will available to watch online afterwards.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: 

“The disorder in Harehills was unacceptable and has no place in our vision for a safer, fairer region. 

“Now that we are more than a week on, I believe the time is right to give extra reassurance to the community by providing them with more information about the police’s response.

“It was a relief that nobody was seriously hurt, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for the community leaders who helped restore calm and would like to thank them all for their ongoing work.”

The disturbance on 18 July began when police officers were called to assist social workers dealing with a child protection matter. A double-decker bus was set alight and vehicles, including a police car, were damaged.

The decision was taken by police to temporarily withdraw after officers were attacked with bricks and missiles, allowing time for community mediation to take place to calm the situation, before later returning to the area with fire and rescue colleagues.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor were briefed that evening and the following day visited Harehills to meet with community representatives, held a press conference to appeal for calm and spoke to the Home Secretary at Elland Road’s police station.  

Community Outcomes Meetings are usually held four times a year and are an opportunity for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to raise important policing and community safety issues on behalf of the public with the chief constable.  

After the meeting a recording will be published online. 

01 August 2024 

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Combined Authority said: "Today's Community Outcomes Meeting has been cancelled due to the chief constable's availability.

"The Prime Minister has called a meeting with senior police officers at Downing Street which he is due to attend this afternoon.

"A new date will be announced in due course."