By James Simons-
Detectives from West Yorkshire Police are urgently seeking information after a terrifying altercation involving weapons erupted near Kirkstall Road last on Sunday night.
The incident, which left several men with stab wounds, unfolded at approximately 11:48 pm on Sunday, plunging the neighbourhood into chaos and prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
Reports flooded in from concerned residents, detailing a harrowing scene of individuals armed with machetes and other weapons engaging in a violent confrontation on Burley Hill Drive.
Despite the prompt deployment of armed officers to the scene, many of the assailants had fled by the time law enforcement arrived, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Among the injured are two men, aged 22 and 25, who suffered severe head injuries, along with a 35-year-old man who sustained a fractured elbow, and a 22-year-old man with hand injuries. While their injuries are not deemed life-threatening, all are currently receiving hospital treatment.
They, along with a 23-year-old man, have been arrested in connection with the incident, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The authorities actively seeking additional individuals involved in the altercation. Two other men, who sought medical attention for suspected stab wounds at a hospital in Bradford, departed before the arrival of law enforcement, prompting ongoing efforts to locate them.
At the heart of the altercation were two badly damaged vehicles—an abandoned Mitsubishi Shogun and a Volkswagen Passat—bearing witness to the intensity of the conflict that transpired.
However, the true toll of the confrontation became evident as police traced five men believed to have been involved in the fighting, several of whom sustained serious injuries, including knife wounds.
West Yorkshire Police are urging anyone with information regarding the incident or the individuals involved to come forward, emphasizing the crucial role that public assistance plays in ensuring justice is served and preventing further violence in the community.
In a statement, a spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Detectives are appealing for information following a large fight involving weapons in Leeds last night where a number of men were seriously injured.
“At 11.48pm on Sunday, police started to receive calls from members of the public reporting males armed with machetes and other weapons attacking each other in Burley Hill Drive in Kirkstall, Leeds.
“Armed officers were deployed to the scene but those involved had left.
“Two badly damaged vehicles, a Mitsubishi Shogun and a Volkswagen Passat, were found abandoned at the scene.
“Officers have now traced five men believed to have been involved in the incident, some of whom have knife wounds, and enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate other suspects.
“Two men, aged 22 and 25, had received serious head injuries. A 35-year-old man had received a fractured elbow, and a 22-year-old man had hand injuries.
“All are continuing to receive hospital treatment for injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.
“They have all been arrested in connection with the incident, as has a 23-year-old man who remains in police custody.
“Two other men, who attended hospital in Bradford with suspected stab type injuries, left prior to police arrival and enquiries are ongoing to trace them.
“A scene and road closures remain in place around Burley Hill Drive while forensic examination is carried out.”
Detective Inspector Dan Ridgway, of Leeds District CID, said: “This has clearly been a significant violent incident and we are treating it very seriously.
“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding it, and to ensure that all those involved are identified and traced to receive any necessary medical treatment and as suspects in the investigation.
“We are aware that this disturbance in the street was seen by several members of the public and we would still like to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of it, particularly anyone with any relevant phone, dashcam or CCTV footage.
“We recognise that an incident of this nature will cause understandable concern in the community, and we are liaising with our colleagues on the local neighbourhood policing team who are increasing their presence in the area to reassure people.”
Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference number 13240213486 or online at westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat