Leeds riots: Children returned to family after chaos broke out when social services took them away

Four children who were taken into care in Leeds, which sparked scenes of rioting, have been released from temporary foster care.

The children were taken into care by police after a tip-off suggested they were about to leave the UK, according to what was heard at Leeds Family Court.

The court heard how the children, aged between eight and 14 were about to be taken to Romania or Cyprus.

The four Romanian Roma children faced the possibility of being separated in foster care if a suitable placement wasn’t found. They have since been returned to their uncle’s home while legal proceedings are ongoing.

The family who were following the proceedings with an interpreter, has been advised by the court to refrain from public celebrations and to remain “calm” for the wellbeing of the children.

Upon hearing that all four children would be living with their uncle, their mother expressed her relief by tapping her heart and stating: “I’m glad the children are back with the family.”

Justice Trotter Jackson, presiding over the case at Leeds Family Court said: “I think it is important that everyone focuses on the children’s welfare and taking the temperature down in this case.

“I was told last week further civil disorder was threatened on Friday night. I was told on Friday, threats of a hunger strike had been made by parents of the children.”

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Meanwhile, police investigating disturbances say they have made a total of 20 arrests, with 17 of these directly related to the disorder. West Yorkshire Police said the “fast-paced investigation continues” and 40 suspects have been identified.

A spokesman said three people have so far been charged with criminal offences.

Assistant Chief Constable Patrick Twiggs said: “We have promised residents that all necessary resources will be utilised to bring in all those believed to be involved and our efforts will continue.

“I want to thank residents in Harehills for their dignified response to the offending committed by a minority on Thursday night and Friday morning. Residents rightly want to see those involved progress through the criminal justice system and local officers remain highly visible to support the local community.”

At the hearing in Leeds Family Court, it was disclosed how social services became involved with the family in April, following an unexplained skull fracture suffered by a baby in their home. The injured baby belonged to the parents’ older daughter, who resided with them, reports The Mirror.

The child was taken to hospital, but the family claimed ignorance as to how the injury occurred, with medical professionals suggesting it could have resulted from a ‘fall’.

A summary of the case stated: “They did not know how he had sustained the head injury, The only explanation provided was that (he) could have perhaps hit his head on his cot, though none of his caregivers observed this.

“Medical opinion is that it is likely that the injury was caused by blunt force trauma or a fall from height, rendering the family’s explanation implausible.”

Social workers expressed frustration at receiving conflicting accounts of what had transpired.

The child’s mother, father, and grandparents were all arrested and subsequently released on bail, while all the children were relocated to live with an older sibling.

Following a familial visit, accusations have been made that the baby was dropped by a child relative who pulled their hair causing the injury, although this was initially hidden from the family.

The court heard about “confusion” over the youngsters’ passports, which was described as an “unhelpful development.”

During the unfolding of the case, Counsel for Leeds City Council, Iain Hutchinson said: “The Local Authority position today is the children can be returned to a family placement.

“It is recognised the family will be overjoyed the children will be returned but we ask for no public celebration on the streets or any sort of reaction which may pose interest to the wider community.”

As the court heard, the social worker linked with the case has now been replaced. The children’s removal from their original relative’s home last Thursday triggered a high level of civil unrest.