Four children returned to extended family after Leeds riots

The remains of a burnt out bus on Foundry Approach in Harehills, Leeds (Picture: Joseph Walshe/SWNS)

Four children who were removed from their home by social services in Leeds have now been returned to their family.

The children were staying with extended family members when they were taken into emergency care by police on Thursday in Harehills.

This led to riots on the streets, with a bus being torched and a police car being turned over, with at least 10 being arrested so far.

The children’s parents welcomed the decision to return them, with their mother telling the BBC: ‘I’m glad the children are back with the family.’

At a Family court hearing, Judge Helen Trotter-Jackson said it was important everyone ‘focuses on the children’s welfare and taking the temperature down in this case’.

She explained the court had given permission for the children to be removed in April after a baby in the family was taken to hospital with unexplained injuries.

Leeds Children’s Services also explained they had been told by a third party the family members were going to take them to Romania.

As all of the children are foreign nationals without settled status, it could be difficult for them to return to Britain.

Fires burn during unrest in Harehills, Leeds (Picture: Reuters)

The scene around the Compton Road area of Harehills, Leeds (Picture: National World/SWNS)

They were all placed with extended family members in the Harehills area, but last week they were moved to live with foster carers.

Iain Hutchinson, barrister for Leeds City Council said after ‘extensive meetings’ the council decided ‘the children can be returned to a family placement today’.

The council asked for there to be no celebration on the streets, following the riots after the children were taken.

Iustin Dobre, 37, is the first to be charged with violent disorder and arson.

He is the first person to be charged amid an investigation which has seen at least 10 people arrested so far.

West Yorkshire Police says four people who had been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder have been bailed pending further investigation.

Another five have also been arrested.

The hours-long disruption saw a double-decked bus burned to a wreck, a police car overturned, and windows pelted with rocks and bricks.

Officers were deployed, some of whom were in riot gear – but the force decided to withdraw officers temporarily as ‘it was evident that the police was the sole target’.

The streets were left littered in broken glass and debris after people clashed with lines of officers in formation.

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