Children returned to extended family following Leeds unrest

Four children involved in a child protection case that led to unrest in Harehills, Leeds, have been returned to stay with their extended family.

The children, who are from a Roma family, were taken into emergency care by police and social workers over concerns they would be taken out of the UK.

Earlier this week, Leeds City Council agreed to undertake an “urgent” review of the case after it led to violent disorder in the street following the children’s removal.

A fire was started and an arson attack was carried out on a double-decker bus that had been abandoned by the driver and passengers.

According to the BBC, the children have now been returned to stay with their extended family.

Her Honour Judge Trotter-Jackson ruled that it would be in the children’s “best interests” to be placed with their extended family, noting that there was no guarantee the children could stay together if they were in foster care, or that they would be "culturally matched".

The BBC said Iain Hutchinson, counsel for Leeds City Council, told the court that following the disorder, there had been “extensive meetings” between key individuals in the council and family members.

He said the council's position was “the children can be returned to a family placement today”.

Lottie Winson