Social tensions spark Islamophobic rhetoric: What we know so far about the riots in the Harehills area of Leeds, U.K.

On July 18, 2024, the Harehills suburb of Leeds, U.K., witnessed a significant outbreak of violence. What began as a police response to a reported domestic disturbance on Luxor Street around 5 p.m. escalated into a night of violence, with rioters attacking police officers, overturning vehicles, and setting fires.

Escalation

The incident started with a police call to a domestic disturbance on Luxor Street. According to local witnesses cited by the BBC, the incident involved agency workers taking children into local authority care, but tensions quickly rose as more people began gathering at the scene. Leeds City Council Leader Tom Riordan said a "family incident" sparked the disorder and was "likely misinterpreted." Initially, officers were reportedly able to remove the children to a safe place, but the growing crowd became increasingly hostile. Reports indicated that by 8:30 p.m., the streets were filled with rioters who began attacking police cars, setting bins and vehicles on fire, and hurling projectiles at officers.

Footage shared on social media captured the severity of the situation. One video showed a police car being attacked, its windows smashed before being overturned by the crowd. Another video depicted a fire burning in the middle of the road, surrounded by rioters and onlookers. By 9:29 p.m., riot vans arrived on the scene, and police helicopters circled overhead, but the disorder continued to escalate.

The presence of large crowds made it difficult for police to regain control. By 9:36 p.m., the situation had deteriorated further, with rioters cheering and throwing items at police vans. A video showed two buses set alight, causing significant damage. Both bus drivers and their passengers had been evacuated earlier, preventing any injuries.

As the night progressed, the violence showed no signs of abating. Police officers, equipped with riot gear, were forced to retreat and regroup multiple times. By 1 a.m., police issued a statement condemning the actions of the rioters and vowing to bring those responsible to justice. They said that the riot was the work of a "small criminal minority intent on disrupting community relations" and urged residents not to speculate on the causes of the disorder.

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her dismay at the events on X, stating, "I am appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles & public transport in Leeds tonight. Disorder of this nature has no place in our society. My thanks go to West Yorkshire police for their response. I am being kept regularly updated."

Misinformation

In the aftermath of the Harehills riots, misinformation spread rapidly on social media, with multiple posts scapegoating Muslims for the unrest.

One such post on X stated, "Only 7.8% of the population of Leeds are Muslims, and look how the police are afraid of them. What if their number became 50%?" directly attributing the disturbance to the Muslim community.

Another user echoed similar sentiments, proclaiming, "This Bangladeshi is an elected councilor of the UK, actively involved in riots. After allowing such people to settle, what do you expect? Peace?" a clear insinuation that Muslims were responsible for the chaos, as Bangladesh is one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.

Further inflammatory claims included, "Muslims are attacking the Police & the locals. The whole city is burning and is under an internal war-like situation. If The power of the UK goes into the hands of these Islamic extremists, don’t forget that they’ll also have access to the Nuclear Weapons of the country." By linking the riots to "Islamic extremists," this post suggested an organized militant effort which has no basis in evidence.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, also shared his thoughts on X, writing, "The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."

However, his post was condemned by the MP for Leeds Central Alex Sobel, who replied, "This is a situation you know nothing about and no one has briefed you on. You are inflaming a situation with misinformation. Politicians have a responsibility to not exacerbate situations particularly with no knowledge of them. I expect you to issue an apology."

These claims were questioned as more information emerged. While initial reports blamed Muslims for the unrest, it was later suggested that Romanian nationals might have been involved, as some videos circulating on social media featured individuals speaking Romanian. However, the police have not yet confirmed the nationalities of the perpetrators, and the investigation is ongoing.

Additionally, Islamophobic misinformation circulated concerning a local official. Videos and posts falsely claimed that Mothin Ali, a newly elected Leeds Green Party councilor, was involved in the riots. These claims suggested that because he is Muslim, he was participating in the violence. However, the videos in question actually show Ali working to calm the situation and prevent further disorder by stopping people from throwing more bins onto the fires. 

Historical and social context

While the full details of the police operation and subsequent unrest in Harehills are yet to emerge, the situation must be viewed in its local context. The Harehills area has seen waves of immigration from the Irish, Jewish, South Asian, and Caribbean communities, dating back as far as the 1820s.

According to the 2023 census, Harehills is one of the most diverse areas in Leeds. The ethnic composition includes 34 percent White, 30 percent Asian, 22 percent Black, and 9 percent mixed or multiple ethnic groups. Additionally, a significant portion of the population, about 40 percent, identifies as Muslim.

Harehills ranks low in homeownership compared to other parts of Leeds, with only 31.91 percent of residents owning their homes. This economic instability is reflected in high unemployment rates and part-time work statistics, which indicate underemployment as a major issue. According to data from 2021, only 50.45 percent of Harehills residents are in full-time employment, while 26.68 percent are in part-time work.

Health statistics also reveal disparities in Harehills compared to other parts of Leeds. The area shows a higher prevalence of severe mental health issues, while the general health of residents is also poorer than the Leeds average, with a significant number reporting poor or very poor health.

Islamophobia has also spiked across the U.K. more generally. Tell MAMA (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks) reported a 600 percent rise in Islamophobic hate crimes across the country in 2023 following the Hamas attack in October 2023​. In Leeds, efforts to combat Islamophobia include city-wide initiatives and pledges from major organizations to increase awareness and reporting of anti-Muslim incidents.

Local contextual factors, such as economic deprivation, can quickly turn minor incidents like this into significant unrest. The community's response, both in terms of immediate action and longer-term efforts to address these issues, underscores the complexity of maintaining peace in such a diverse area.

Relationships between the community and the police have been a focus of recent efforts in Harehills, highlighted by initiatives such as the "CommUnity Harehills" project. This initiative aims to tackle serious and organized crime through collaborative efforts between police, local authorities, and community leaders. Despite these nascent efforts, tensions remain as events such as the July 18 riots indicate.

As the full picture of the riots in Harehills is still emerging, Logically Facts will continue to monitor the spread of false and misleading information in the aftermath of the event. You can read all of our fact-checks here.