A police van was set on fire in Leeds city centre yesterday afternoon. 

The incident took place on Calverly Street at 2.33pm, West Yorkshire Police said. 

Witnesses reported seeing the van ablaze and smoking, with a person standing on top of it.

In a statement, a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Emergency services attended the scene, the fire was extinguished and the man who was standing on top of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of arson.”

A pro-Palestine demo was taking place in Leeds city centre that afternoon, led by Leeds Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). 

The activist group released a statement on Facebook after the incident which said: “We would like to first and foremost inform everyone that this was not associated with Leeds PSC.

“We do not condone any actions during our marches that jeopardise the safety of our community.”