Leeds riot: Harehills man charged with setting bus on fire

A man has been charged in connection with rioting in a Leeds suburb earlier this week.

A police car was overturned and a bus was set on fire in Harehills during the riots, which broke out at around 17:00 BST on Thursday and continued into the early hours.

Iustin Dobre, 37, of Clifton Mount, Harehills, has been charged with violent disorder and reckless arson endangering life in connection with the bus fire, police said.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, officers have arrested five other people suspected of violent disorder, who remain in police custody.

Four people who were initially arrested in connection with Thursday’s riots have been released on bail pending further enquiries, the force said.

West Yorkshire Police said the disorder broke out in Harehills, in the east of the town, when officers responded to reports of social workers experiencing hostility while dealing with a child protection issue.

Officers came under fire and helped social workers get to safety before people began damaging vehicles and setting fires, according to Deputy Police Chief Pat Twiggs.

A vigil was held in Harehills on Friday night and “passed peacefully”, police said.

A woman was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence during the event but was later released on a conditional warning.

Officials said there will be an “increased police presence” in the area in the coming days.

Anyone with information about this disorder, including CCTV footage, is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police.