Matthew Mohan-Hickson

Police attended Tynwald Mount in Moortown, Leeds, shortly after 5am following a report that a man had been assaulted and another man had been seen carrying an axe. The injured man suffered a head laceration after being punched and was taken to hospital. A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in public, while a 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer. Police said the victim and suspect were known to each other and that enquiries remain ongoing.

West Yorkshire Police will deploy live facial recognition cameras around the external perimeter of Leeds Festival at Bramham Park as part of its wider security operation. The system will compare live images with a watchlist of wanted people or individuals considered a public risk, with trained officers reviewing alerts before action is taken. Chief Inspector Dan Tillett said the technology would be used in a targeted, proportionate, lawful and transparent manner to prevent crime and protect festivalgoers.

West Yorkshire Police are continuing to question a 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and owning a dangerously out-of-control dog after another 55-year-old man died following an alleged German Shepherd attack on a footpath off Blacker Lane in Wakefield. The dog has been seized, a further detention warrant has been authorised, and police have urged the public not to speculate online while appealing for additional witnesses and information.

Irmann Ali and Ruqayya Hussain, both aged 20 and from Horsforth, have been charged with jointly selling a flick knife and marketing a combat knife as suitable for combat. The arrests followed a referral from the National Knife Crime Centre to West Yorkshire Police’s Operation Phoenix taskforce. Both appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court and were bailed until a further hearing on 16 November.

Leeds is expected to have sunny, clear skies from 5pm through 8pm on August 12, followed by a clear night at 9pm, with temperatures falling from 32°C to 26°C. The partial solar eclipse, during which the Moon will obscure about 90% to 92% of the Sun, is expected to begin around 7pm in the region. Astronomers advise viewers to use certified eclipse glasses, a solar telescope or indirect projection methods such as a colander, since viewing the Sun directly can cause serious eye damage. A comparable eclipse will not occur until 2081, while the next total solar eclipse visible from the UK is expected in 2090.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on August 12, 2026, with more than 90% of the Sun obscured in parts of the country. Leeds residents are advised to be in position from around 7pm, while the eclipse is expected to peak later in the evening; the precise Leeds timing was not provided by the Met Office. Experts warn that ordinary sunglasses are unsafe and recommend certified solar eclipse glasses, a solar telescope, astronomy events, or projection methods. A similarly extensive eclipse is not expected until 2081, and the next total solar eclipse visible from the UK is due in 2090.

One West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service crew remained at a waste management centre in Stourton, Leeds, on the morning of August 10 after a blaze had burned for more than 48 hours. The fire began early on August 8 and was initially tackled by 12 crews and supporting units. Residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed, while an investigation into the cause was launched; the service said emergency call volumes had since returned to normal.

A signalling fault between Huddersfield and Stalybridge is expected to cause all-day disruption on July 30, affecting services to and from Leeds and routes connecting destinations including Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Hull, Scarborough and York. Trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes, revised or diverted. Passengers can use specified alternative services at no extra cost, while replacement transport will operate between Brighouse and Huddersfield; eligible travelers may claim compensation for delays.

Leeds is experiencing another heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s and possibly around 30°C. BBC Weather forecasts light rain and cooler conditions for Monday, August 3, followed by a return to sunshine. The Met Office expects generally dry, settled and warmer-than-normal conditions through much of August, although occasional Atlantic rain, thunderstorms and further heatwaves remain possible.

A crash involving a car and a motorcycle on Jack Lane in Holbeck, Leeds, prompted a response from police, firefighters and ambulances on July 28, 2026. One person was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two fire crews helped make the scene safe, while further details from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service were awaited.

Netflix is seeking amateur darts players from Leeds and across the UK to compete against world number one Luke Littler in the live show Beat Luke Littler. Twenty contestants will take part, with regional heats in London and Manchester in September, and a £501,000 prize for anyone who defeats Littler. Applicants must be at least 12, with under-18s required to attend auditions with a parent or guardian; the show is scheduled to air live on Netflix on October 30.

A 33-year-old Leeds man has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal crash on the A38 in Derby. A red Hyundai reportedly left the road and struck trees late on July 25. Two women, a 36-year-old man and a baby girl died, while the driver remains in hospital with serious injuries. Derbyshire Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

Four passengers from Leeds—a baby girl, two women aged 18 and 30, and a 36-year-old man—died after a red Hyundai left the A38 and crashed into trees near Derby. The driver, a 33-year-old man, was seriously injured and arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Derbyshire Police have notified relatives, reopened the road after several hours, and appealed for witnesses or dash-cam footage.

A major outage is affecting Facebook and Messenger, with thousands of users reporting issues such as login failures, slow loading and problems with feeds and video calls. Downdetector shows a sharp rise in reported problems beginning around 8:30am and peaking above 5,000 shortly after 9am. The disruption appears global, with reports from the UK and New Zealand. Instagram remains unaffected. The outage continues as of mid-morning.

Leeds Green Party urges incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to pursue substantive reforms rather than slogans, outlining priorities including improved public transport funding, stronger water company regulation, protection of green belt land, and expanded support for renewable energy. The open letter stresses the need for a truly regional approach to devolved power and reflects the party’s position as the third-largest group on Leeds City Council.

England’s World Cup hopes ended in a late defeat to Argentina, prompting strong reactions from Leeds fans who largely criticised the team’s defensive approach and the decision to sit back after taking the lead. While some compared the tactics to those of previous Southgate-era performances, others defended the players’ effort despite the loss. England now prepares for a third-place play-off against France.

Residents in Leeds are urged to delay using appliances such as kettles, dishwashers and washing machines during evening peak hours to reduce pressure on the electricity grid and water network. Octopus Energy highlights cost savings for customers on smart tariffs, while Yorkshire Water reports healthy reservoir levels but encourages efficient water use during hot weather. Water Wise notes that kitchens account for a significant share of household water use, and shifting appliance use can support a more resilient and sustainable energy system.

A booze-free, tea-themed version of the Otley Run in Leeds brought families and non‑drinkers together to raise funds for the Friends of Alfie Martin charity, with participants following the traditional pub crawl route while drinking tea at each stop and finishing with a Mad Hatter’s tea party in Hyde Park. Photographs captured a range of creative costumes worn during the event.

Greggs temporarily removed three Mexican-themed chicken sandwiches from its Leeds shops for a day ahead of England’s World Cup match against Mexico, framing the move as a playful show of support for England. The items will return the following day, while customers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can still buy them.

A list of 104 unclaimed estates in Leeds, current as of July 3, highlights eligibility rules for inheritance when no valid will exists. The Treasury Solicitor outlines who may claim an estate, the order of entitlement, and time limits for claims. Estates become Crown property if no relatives come forward, though qualifying family members can still submit claims within specified periods, with extended time limits applying to deaths before 1997.

Lewis Capaldi headlined the second day of the new Roundhay Festival in Leeds, joking with the crowd about past comments he made on ticket sales during a 2025 Graham Norton appearance. Performing to a large audience, he delivered another playful remark referencing his earlier rant. Rising artists including Kerr Mercer, Jessie Murph and Conan Gray were also part of the lineup as crowds enjoyed the music and sunshine at Roundhay Park.

Photos capture crowds and performers during the second day of Roundhay Festival in Leeds, featuring Lewis Capaldi along with several rising artists and enthusiastic attendees.

Pubs across Leeds will open late for England’s World Cup match against Mexico after the UK Government approved extended hours, announced by Keir Starmer. A list of 21 venues across the city and surrounding areas have confirmed they will open for the 1am kickoff, with additional pubs invited to submit details for inclusion.

Roundhay Festival in Leeds runs from July 3 to July 5, with headline performances from Pitbull, Lewis Capaldi and others. The final day ends earlier, with All Things Orchestral finishing at 6 p.m. and an afterparty by DJ Yoda running until 8:15 p.m., ensuring reduced late-evening noise for nearby residents.

Photos capture the opening day of Roundhay Festival in Leeds, highlighting enthusiastic crowds and anticipation for headliner Pitbull.

A detailed list of drink prices at the newly launched Roundhay Festival in Leeds outlines costs for beer, cider, wine, spirits, cocktails, low-alcohol options and soft drinks as attendees arrive for performances by Pitbull, Lewis Capaldi and the Hale Orchestra.

A playful social media stunt by Trinity Leeds showed a Pitbull lookalike shopping, dancing and exploring the centre ahead of the upcoming Roundhay Festival, where the real artist will headline alongside Lewis Capaldi and The Hallé. The lighthearted video features stops at the Leeds United shop, Boots and Greggs and generated excited reactions from followers as anticipation grows for the festival.

A section of Harehills Road in Leeds was closed after a serious assault was reported shortly after 8:20am. Police established a cordon and confirmed that a man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Traffic disruption was reported, and investigations are ongoing.

A road in Leeds city centre has been closed due to a police incident, disrupting bus services and causing local travel delays. AA Traffic reports the closure of Wade Lane between Merrion Street and St Albans Place, while drivers are also experiencing major delays on the M62 because of an overturned vehicle. The incident follows a separate road closure the previous day caused by an unsafe structure that required a fire service response.

A collision involving an overturned car on the M62 eastbound between junctions 25 and 26 caused nearly an hour of delays, with two of four lanes closed and congestion stretching five miles. National Highways and AA reported significant disruption as recovery efforts were underway, while a separate police incident affected traffic in Leeds city centre.