Counter-terror Police have launched a probe after two women were seriously injured in a daylight attack amid reports of a man armed ‘with a crossbow’ in the major city earlier today.
West Yorkshire Police declared a ‘major incident’ after three individuals were injured in Leeds, as several eyewitnesses alleged they had seen a man armed with a weapon.
It has since been confirmed by Counter Terrorism Policing North East that two women were seriously injured and were rushed to hospital following the incident, while a male suspect, 38, has been arrested and hospitalised due to a ‘self-inflicted injury’.
Two weapons have also been recovered from the scene – one being a crossbow, and the other a firearm, CTP North East have said.
It comes as officers were called to the scene on Otley Road in Headingley at around 3pm. The incident occurred near a student event dubbed ‘The Otley Run’ as youngsters were due to celebrate the end of term.
Several areas are cordoned off along the road, and buses were stopped with passengers forced to get off. An extensive police cordon remains in place.
Now Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken the lead on the investigation, with the support of West Yorkshire Police, as they continue to make enquiries to establish the circumstances and motive behind the attack.
Disturbing Facebook posts have been circulating on social media which appear to show an individual from Leeds publicly discussing plans to attack the Otley Road area, but police have emphasised that efforts to establish what has happened are at an early stage.
Earlier today, shocking footage had emerged of a man strolling along a street in Leeds, carrying what appears to be a large apparatus in both hands.
Three people have been left injured amid reports of a man spotted ‘armed with a crossbow’ in a major city today (Pictured: Police at the scene in Leeds today)
Images of weapons near the scene in Headlingley as West Yorkshire declare a major incident as three people are injured (Pictured: A Sig Sauer Rattler CO2 BB gun)
Pictured left to right: A break barrel air rifle, that fires lead pellets and a crossbow
A CTP North East spokesperson said: ‘Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken responsibility for leading the investigation with the support of West Yorkshire Police.
‘Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.
‘We are keeping an open mind as we are gathering as much information as possible to find out exactly what happened.
‘West Yorkshire Police were called to Otley Road, Leeds at 14:47 to reports on an ongoing serious incident involving a man seen with weapons.
‘Officers attended and located three people who had suffered injuries, two of which were women and were taken to hospital for treatment.
‘The third, a 38-year-old man has been arrested and taken to the hospital due to a self-inflicted injury.
‘Two weapons have been recovered from the scene which were a crossbow and a firearm.
‘An extensive cordon remains in place in the Otley Road area.’
Local Bethany Connelly was told by others while she was at work that they had spotted a man with crossbow in the vicinity.
She told Manchester Evening News: ‘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 incident reportedly took further up from a bar named Woodies Pub, which has since confirmed road closures from St Chad’s Drive.
They also said the road was off limits to pedestrians, who would have to walk via Becketts Park.
Head of CTP North East Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley said: ‘Although our enquiries are still at a very early stage, the circumstances surrounding this incident have resulted in Counter Terrorism Policing taking the lead for this investigation.
‘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: ‘Clearly this has been a shocking incident and we fully realise the concern it has caused.
Police present at the scene in Otley Road today. The injuries sustained by the three individuals are said not to be life-threatening
A male suspect has since been detained by the police force (pictured: Otley Road)
‘Due to the enquiry being active we are limited in what we can say, but I do want to reassure residents that everything possible is being done to investigate and understand what took place.
‘We have an extensive number of uniformed officers deployed in the Otley Road area this evening to reassure residents and continue our enquiries at the crime scenes.
‘I also want to thank members of the public for the support they gave victims and the emergency services as we attended the scene.
‘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.
‘We are also working with other partner agencies and key community representatives to reassure them and keep them informed.’
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident, have been urged to call 101 quoting log number 925 of 26 April.
