Abbey Maclure

Police discovered a body inside a building in Batley while investigating a large fire that broke out near Warwick Road and Mount Street in the early hours of August 15. The deceased has not yet been formally identified, and a specialist homicide investigation is working to establish the circumstances of the fire and death. West Yorkshire Police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage to come forward.

Redrow has launched the second phase of its Centurion Fields development on Manston Lane near Cross Gates in east Leeds. The scheme will eventually provide 200 homes, with three- and four-bedroom properties currently priced from £420,000. The development offers access to open countryside, parks, amenities, Leeds city centre and the wider motorway network, with connectivity expected to improve when the planned Thorpe Park Rail Station is delivered. The homes are among Redrow’s first in Yorkshire to use its Eco Electric specification, which incorporates air-source heat pumps, and incentives include deposit contributions for eligible key workers and armed forces personnel.

Light Night Leeds will take place on October 28 and 29, 2026, during the autumn half term, marking the first time the festival’s main programme will begin at 6pm because of earlier darkness. Themed “A City Speaks,” the free event will feature more than 40 light displays, projections, performances and immersive artworks exploring Leeds’s history and future as part of the Leeds 400 celebrations. Organised by Leeds City Council with additional Arts Council England funding, the festival is expected to build on its previous attendance of more than 200,000 visitors.

Leeds residents recommend 13 walking routes in and around the city, ranging from woodland trails and parks to canal towpaths. The Leeds Liverpool Canal was the most popular suggestion, with Temple Newsam, Roundhay Park, Middleton Park, the Trans Pennine Trail and Woodlesford Lock also highlighted for their scenery, quiet surroundings and family-friendly routes.

Leeds-based Money Cruncher, which also trades as Spot On-Line and is part of the Purston Park Group, has seen sales through Temu rise from about £1,000 to more than £20,000 a day since joining the platform in early 2025. The company has sold over one million items, now dispatches more than 6,000 parcels daily and has expanded its warehouse workforce from seven to 28 employees. The growth has led to investment in equipment and storage, created local jobs and prompted the business to consider moving to a larger site.

Leeds GP practices are ranked according to the proportion of patients who said their needs were definitely met at their last appointment in the 2026 GP Patient Survey. Abbey Grange Medical Practice ranked first with 80%, followed by Leeds Student Medical Practice and Spa Surgery on 77% each. Drighlington Medical Centre, Burley Park Medical Centre and The Family Doctors also ranked highly. The survey, conducted by Ipsos for NHS England, received more than 650,000 responses nationally, with 58% of patients saying their needs were definitely met and 32% saying they were met to some extent.

A new mural at South Leeds Conservative Club in Beeston celebrates Howard Wilkinson and Leeds United’s 1992 title-winning side. Commissioned by the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, designed by Kieran Bradshaw and painted by local artist Karl Canning, the project was sponsored by the Leeds United Supporters Club of Scandinavia and the club. Canning said the mural reflects efforts by local artists and community groups to brighten neglected areas and address wider neighborhood issues.

A large pallet fire broke out at an industrial park on Haigh Park Road in Stourton, Leeds. Eight fire-service crews attended, while residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed because of the heavy smoke. Flames and smoke were visible from Leeds city centre.

There are 104 unclaimed estates linked to people who died in Leeds, according to the latest Treasury Solicitor figures. Relatives may claim eligible estates within 12 years of Crown possession, or within 30 years for estates predating 1997, subject to applicable conditions. The article explains the legal order of entitlement, the role of personal representatives, and how potential heirs can seek advice and submit evidence of their family connection, while listing the surnames associated with the estates.

A giant portrait of Leeds Rhinos legend Sir Kevin Sinfield has been unveiled at Trinity Leeds for Yorkshire Day. The display celebrates his work raising £11 million for motor neurone disease charities in memory of Rob Burrow. Visitors can leave messages of support ahead of Sinfield's final fundraising challenge, a seven-day ultra-marathon visiting all 12 English Super League grounds and ending at Old Trafford.

Leeds City Council has submitted plans for 79 affordable homes on the former Kingsdale Court flats site in Seacroft, which was demolished after years of poor conditions, low occupancy, crime and anti-social behaviour. The proposal includes 20 two- and three-bedroom houses and 59 one- and two-bedroom apartments for council housing-register applicants. The development would feature enhanced insulation, ground-source heat pumps, solar panels, electric-vehicle infrastructure, bike storage, landscaping and private gardens. If planning permission is granted, it will be delivered through the Council Housing Growth Programme to meet strong demand for smaller homes in the Killingbeck and Seacroft ward.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin welcomed plans to give English mayors a share of income tax and business rates, arguing that the powers would help accelerate public transport, housing and employment initiatives. A separate change will raise the Department for Transport approval threshold for locally funded transport projects from £200 million to £500 million, potentially easing progress on the £2.5 billion Leeds and Bradford mass transit network. The proposed system, which would also serve Elland Road and the White Rose Centre, has been delayed until the late 2030s, prompting campaigners to demand a firm commitment to full funding.

Leeds has begun the one-year countdown to hosting the start of stage one of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, marking the first time the women’s race will start in Britain. A City Square pop-up event is promoting the race and its JOY Makers volunteering programme. The Grand Départ will travel from Leeds to Manchester on July 30, Manchester to Sheffield on July 31, and finish in London on August 1. The Leeds route will pass through Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington before crossing the Pennines, with road closures and traffic restrictions to be announced later. Leeds will become the first place outside mainland Europe to host stage-one starts for both the men’s and women’s Tour de France events.

Dishoom is preparing to open its Leeds restaurant on Vicar Lane, beginning with a 50% off soft-opening period from August 3 before its full opening on August 14. The restaurant will serve signature dishes alongside three Leeds-exclusive creations and a limited-edition chai doughnut made with local business Doh’hut. General manager Stewart Anderson said the team had received a warm welcome and hoped to integrate into Leeds’ established Indian food culture.

LeedsBID has launched the Leeds Business Crime Reduction Partnership to help businesses, police and Leeds City Council combat crime and anti-social behaviour in the city centre. Participating businesses will receive radios, access to the DISC intelligence platform, training and advice, enabling faster reporting and coordinated responses across daytime and nightlife venues. The scheme follows research highlighting concerns about weak enforcement, limited communication about outcomes and the effects of crime on staff, customers and business confidence.

A new GP Patient Survey, produced by Ipsos for NHS England, ranks Leeds practices by the proportion of patients who found their reception and administrative teams unhelpful. Nationally, 44% of respondents described reception teams as very helpful and 41% as fairly helpful. Among the practices shown, Manston Surgery ranked worst, with 48% of respondents reporting that its reception team was not very or not at all helpful, followed by Bramley Village Health and Wellbeing Centre at 30% and Dr G Lees & Partners at 29%; three other practices recorded 28%.

Large crowds gathered to mark the first day of Leeds Pride 2026, celebrating its 20th anniversary with live performances and community events in the city centre. Attendees highlighted the event’s role in promoting inclusivity, self-expression and visibility, while recognizing Pride’s roots in protest. Visitors from across the region and beyond shared personal reflections on the significance of Pride, especially for younger people. The main parade is set to take place the following day, featuring floats and community groups marching from Leeds Town Hall through the city streets.

Police issued an urgent appeal to locate Marwan Jumaa, a 20-year-old serving a sentence for assault who absconded after being transferred to North Manchester Hospital. He is believed to have links to Leeds, prompting West Yorkshire Police to assist in the search. Authorities advised the public not to approach him and to call emergency services immediately with any sightings or information.

Danny Malin and Sophie Mei Lan Malin announced the birth of their son, Parker Kai Mei Lan Malin, born on July 14 and reported to be healthy. The couple shared their joy on social media and thanked supporters, noting Parker arrived in time to catch the remainder of the World Cup. The article highlights Danny’s media presence through his Rate My Takeaway and Danny vs Food channels and mentions the couple’s family background.

Eight offenders received prison sentences in Leeds, including a rapist who remains at large after receiving a 13‑year term and a paedophile given an extended 32‑year sentence for abusing very young children. Other cases included a man who sexually exploited a girl online, an opportunistic robber targeting an elderly victim, a historical sex offender convicted decades after the crimes, and a prolific burglar with more than 100 prior offences. All were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court following separate investigations by police and safeguarding authorities.

England advanced to the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 extra-time win over Norway, driven by a standout performance from Jude Bellingham. Despite an early setback from a misjudged Jordan Pickford play, England recovered through Bellingham’s equaliser and a decisive second goal following an error from Orjan Nyland. Fans in Leeds celebrated the tense match at the Kirkstall Bridge Inn, with photos capturing their reactions throughout the game.

England fans gathered at the Kirkstall Bridge Inn in Leeds to celebrate and prepare for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement, nerves and patriotic energy, captured in a series of pre-match photos.

A Welsh mountain pony named Gordon, owned by Matthew Gawthorpe in Leeds, predicted an England victory over Norway in the upcoming World Cup quarter-final by repeatedly choosing a feed bucket marked with the England flag. The lighthearted prediction follows England’s hard-fought 3-2 win over Mexico under manager Thomas Tuchel. Gawthorpe’s family is confident Gordon will predict correctly as England prepare for the Miami match, with attention on potential threats like Erling Haaland.

Redevelopment of Elland Road is underway, increasing stadium capacity from 37,645 to 53,000 through major work on the West and North Stands. Demolition of existing structures, removal of floodlights and construction of temporary facilities are progressing, with completion expected in 2030. Leeds United figures, including Gary McAllister, have expressed enthusiasm for the upgrade, and new photographs document the latest developments.

Police arrested a 56-year-old man wanted for failing to comply with the Sex Offenders' Register after issuing a public appeal. West Yorkshire Police confirmed the individual, who had been expected to relocate to Leeds, was detained outside the county and said they are no longer seeking Darren Ikpen, thanking the public for sharing information.

Police are searching for Darren Ikpen, a convicted sex offender who failed to comply with the conditions of the Sex Offenders' Register after his release from prison in Kent. Ikpen, previously jailed for sexually assaulting a teenager and deemed a serious risk to children, was expected to relocate to Leeds but has not been located despite extensive police enquiries. Authorities say he may have links to Kent and Sussex and are appealing for public assistance in tracing him, directing information to West Yorkshire Police or Crimestoppers.

Police arrested a 71-year-old man on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a 16-year-old boy was struck by a car in Walton near Wetherby. The boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries, and the driver was released under investigation while enquiries continue.

England’s 1am World Cup kickoff has prompted calls for an additional bank holiday, though the government signalled that changes to the established holiday pattern are unlikely. A survey from the Chartered Management Institute showed limited employer flexibility for late‑night matches. Leeds residents expressed mixed views, with some supporting an extra day off and others insisting fans should adapt their schedules. The prevailing sentiment among respondents leaned against granting a bank holiday at this stage of the tournament.

A £1.1 million Yorkshire Water project to replace 2.5km of aging water mains in Pool in Wharfedale is causing expected traffic disruption. Work has begun on Castley Lane and will continue on Arthington Lane, forming part of an £8.3 billion regional investment and a wider 1,000km upgrade plan. The project aims to improve water supply reliability and reduce leakage, with completion expected by year’s end as residents are advised to anticipate delays.

Fans gathered at the Beck and Call pub in Meanwood to watch England face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the World Cup round of 32, creating a lively atmosphere as supporters shared score predictions ahead of kick-off. Pub manager Nikki Grover described strong excitement leading into the first knockout match, captured in a series of photos showing the crowd backing the Three Lions.

A 34‑year‑old man, Christopher Wilson, died in hospital after his motorcycle collided with a car on the A19 near Selby. His family issued a tribute describing him as a cherished son, partner and new father, highlighting his warmth, humour and love of adventure. Police continue to appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage as part of their investigation.

Leeds City Council and local universities are coordinating additional support during the student changeover period, urging students to dispose of waste responsibly and avoid disturbances. Extra cleaning crews, refuse vehicles and wardens will be deployed, and fines may be issued for improper waste disposal. Unipol and charities are providing donation and recycling options, while student representatives call for expanded support such as crossover periods and storage solutions.

Police released more than 50 CCTV images of individuals sought in ongoing investigations across Leeds, relating to offences including theft, assault, robbery, burglary and criminal damage, and urged the public to report information to Crimestoppers.

A Leeds father, Ben Ziff, has released Big Little Life (Cece’s Song) in memory of his daughter Celine, who died shortly after her first birthday from a rare cancer. Co-written with singer-songwriter Bertie, the project helped both men process grief while celebrating Celine’s joyful personality and lasting impact. The song’s artwork features a painting by Celine and her siblings, and proceeds will support Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, which cared for the family.