Shock as mum’s car with two children inside ‘deliberately’ set alight as teenager arrested

A car was allegedly deliberately set on fire as two children sat inside, police have said. West Yorkshire Police told a woman contacted them to say her vehicle was alight just before 11pm on Thursday in Tong Way, Leeds.

They said a teenager has been arrested following the incident. However it is understood the incident is not intended to be in connection with the rioting which took place in the city the same night.

A police spokesperson said: “At 10.52pm on Thursday 18 July, a woman reported her car had been deliberately set alight while two her children were still in the vehicle in Tong Way, Leeds. She and a neighbor brought the children to safety, and they were checked over by ambulance staff with no concerns found.

“A 19-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson in relation to the incident. Inquiries are ongoing.”

The teenager was later danced pending further inquiries.