Plea for calm

Dad at centre of row says: I just want my children back

- LUCY THORNTON

A DAD whose children were taken away by social services and police, sparking a riot, appealed for calm yesterday as he begged for his family to be returned.

Police were forced to retreat due to the scale of the disorder after the family had all four children aged between eight and 14-removed.

It was claimed last night the parents, who are Romanian Roma, had vowed to go on a hunger strike until they get them back.

Five people have been taken into custody over the riots, in which nine vehicles were damaged, including five police vehicles and a bus.

Community leader Stefania Banu told the Mirror: "The mother and father are refusing to eat until they get their children back. We are fully supporting them.

"We believe it was an injustice that can be rectified by the authorities if they revise the case which they promised they will do. The way the children were removed from their home one in handcuffs - was traumatising."

She said the violence was fuelled by footage of the riots being circulated on social media, adding: "The two incidents were not related. The bus fire and violence came about as a reaction to the live videos." People were warned to stay indoors after the riot began on Thursday in the Harehills district of Leeds.

Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said: "We have made a number of arrests in connection with the breakout of disorder in Harehills.

"We are using all the investigative tools available to us in order to identify those involved.