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Prayers for peace after night of rioting in Leeds

by Donna Birrell

Prayers are being said for the community in the Harehills area of Leeds after a night of unrest.

Footage live-streamed on social media showed a double-decker bus being set on fire by a group of men and a police car being flipped over during what's been described as a mass riot.

West Yorkshire Police told local residents to stay at home after hundreds of people clashed with officers and pelted police vans with rocks and bricks.

In a post on X, the Bishop of Kirkstall, Rt Rev Arun Arora said he was "Praying tonight for the residents of Harehills afraid in their own homes. Praying the emergency services trying to bring order. Praying that evil will be defeated. Praying that this seeking to exploit these events will fail. Praying for peace, truth and justice."

The Diocese of Leeds also encouraged people to spare a prayer for the situation: "Today we pray for Huddersfield St Peter in the Huddersfield area. We pray for the church of Huddersfield St Peter."

No one is believed to have been injured in the violence which is believed to have broken out after social services took away four children from a family in the Harehills area earlier in the day.

The Home Secretary says she's "appalled" by the violence, which West Yorkshire Police say was “instigated by a criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations.”

Premier has contacted local churches and the Diocese of Leeds but no one was available for comment. 

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