A major police operation in Leeds city centre successfully kept the peace during protests on Saturday, 25 April 2026. Officers managed static protests at City Square and Victoria Gardens, alongside marches across the city, aiming to safeguard public safety and limit disruption.
Six Arrests Made
Police arrested six individuals, primarily for allegedly breaching Section 14 of the Public Order Act, relating to the protesters staying in their agreed locations. All remain in custody while enquiries continue.
No Injuries Or Disorder
The event passed without any injuries or disorderly conduct, highlighting effective crowd control and policing throughout the day.
Strategic Police Deployment
Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller, who led the operation, praised the planning and cooperation with partner agencies. He said the focus was on balancing protesters’ rights with those of residents and visitors.
“Our main priority today was to keep people safe and balance the rights of those who wished to protest with the rights of those visiting, working or living in the city centre,” said ACC Miller. “This was successfully achieved with strategic deployments and careful preparation to minimise disruption.”
Public Reassurance
Though a small number of arrests were made, police stress this is expected for events of this scale. The operation aims to reassure the people of Leeds of the police’s capability to maintain safety and order during significant public events.
