Counter terror police take over investigation into 'serious incident' in Leeds that left two women seriously injured
26 April 2025, 22:55 | Updated: 27 April 2025, 14:45
Counter terror police have said a crossbow and a firearm were recovered after an incident that left two women seriously injured in Leeds.
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Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) North East said it took over the probe "due to the circumstances surrounding the incident".
West Yorkshire Police were called Otley Road at 2.47pm on Saturday following reports of a man seen with weapons.
Officers found three people with injuries that are not being treated as life-threatening, the force said.
CTP North East reported on Saturday night that two women were taken to hospital.
The third, a 38-year-old man, was arrested and taken to hospital with a self-inflicted injury, it added.
The incident happened near where the Otley Run takes place, a popular pub crawl often done by groups of university students.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said her thoughts were with the victims of the incident in Leeds, adding she was being updated on the situation.
In a statement, the Home Secretary said: "I am being kept updated on the serious violent incident in Leeds this afternoon.
"Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response.
"My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack."
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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, from West Yorkshire Police and who commanded the police operation, said: "Clearly this has been a shocking incident and we fully realise the concern it has caused.
"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."
An "extensive number" of uniformed officers have been deployed to the Otley Road area on Saturday evening to reassure residents and continue enquiries, he added.
The assistant chief constable said: "I also want to thank members of the public for the support they gave victims and the emergency services as we attended the scene."
He urged people not to speculate online or share information or footage that could impact the investigation.
'Scary'
Kiera, 22, lives a couple of streets away and said “To think that we could have walked past him in the street not knowing that this was being planned is so scary.
"Also having to alter your daily routine at the risk of not being attacked is wild, especially in an area which is typically so safe it’s deeply disturbing to know that attacks like this can happen anywhere”.
'Lost for words'
Joe, who lives nearby said “I usually feel safe around here, I think I still will but it’s concerning.
"I’m lost for words really, I just hope everybody’s alright.”
'Concerning'
Dan, who lives nearby said “It’s shook me up a little bit. A guy planning a massacre 400 yards from your house is not what you expect on a Saturday afternoon.
"It’s concerning. The fact that it was a planned attack means that any one of us could have been injured”.
