Counter-terrorism police have been called in after two women were seriously injured in Leeds and a crossbow and a gun were seized by police, while a male suspect with a self-inflicted injury was arrested.
West Yorkshire police were called at 2.47pm on Saturday after reports of a man with weapons. The two women injured were taken to hospital, while a 38-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital. Their injuries were not regarded as life-threatening, police said.
Counter Terrorism Policing North East said it had taken over the investigation “due to the circumstances surrounding the incident … Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.”
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “I am being kept updated on the serious violent incident in Leeds this afternoon. Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response. My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.”
The head of CTP North East, DCI James Dunkerley, said: “From the enquiries undertaken so far, there is no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the attack, and, at this time, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.”
Assistant chief constable Carl Galvin of West Yorkshire police, who commanded the police operation, said officers were in the area to “reassure residents and continue our enquiries”.
“I also want to thank members of the public for the support they gave victims and the emergency services as we attended the scene,” he said.
“We would strongly urge people not to speculate online or share information or footage which could affect the active investigation and continue to work closely with colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing North East.”
The incident happened on the Otley Run, a pub crawl that is popular with students, just days before the summer term starts for many university courses.
Bethany Connelly, who works in the area, told Yorkshire Live: “I was at work at a nearby restaurant and some girls were sitting outside.
“They asked if they could come in and finish what they were having because they’d seen someone with a crossbow. This was all before the incident, and a few minutes later, we saw ambulances and police rushing down the roads.
“The roads were getting blocked off, and we’d been told by police to keep everyone indoors and away from the area.”
Rachel Reeves, the chancellor and MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, said the incident was shocking, telling the BBC: “My thoughts are with all of those affected.”
With PA Media
