Shops are cordoned off in Leeds today after armed police stormed a road last night to arrest a murder suspect.
West Yorkshire Police announced in a statement this morning that they arrested a 36-year-old man on Kirkstall Road around 8.30pm last night on suspicion of murder. A murder investigation was launched after a 35-year-old woman died following being found with serious injuries on Victoria Road in Headingley.
Today, Tuesday, September 6, cordons remained in place at both scenes, with investigations ongoing. Business owners on Kirkstall Road recounted how they had seen armed police arrive the evening before to make the arrest.
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The cordon on Kirkstall Road stretched from Moda Barbers to Wok n Roll. Businesses inside the cordon remained shut on Tuesday while enquiries continued.
Val, who works at Portside Fish & Chips next to Wok n Roll, told LeedsLive: “I was working yesterday evening. We didn’t see them arrest anyone but we know that’s what happened. There were loads of armed police that came down in the evening and we saw that.
"It’s a little bit worrying and concerning. We haven’t been impacted too much by it though obviously anyone that comes in is interested. I just hope everyone is alright and safe.”
Many of the other businesses nearby outside of the cordon area had already closed for the evening when armed police descended on the street, so turned up the morning after to find police outside their places of work.
Hugo works at Woodrup Cycles opposite the cordon. He said: “We heard there’s been a murder. One of the lads saw some armed police as he lives nearby and let us know last night. We were shut at the time.
"It’s not scary in all honesty though. It’s sad and horrible - but this is Kirkstall - we’re used to this sort of thing. I nearly got mugged the other week and I’ve had a customer tell us about nearly being stabbed round here in recent weeks too. I wasn't surprised."
Follow our blogs for live updates on the Kirkstall Road cordon and the Victoria Road cordon
Employees at Kulture Café said the businesses inside the cordon had not been allowed to open, but they had thankfully not been too affected. One worker said: "It’s been quite chill and police have been helpful to be fair. Obviously we've heard what everyone else has - that there was a murder and a guy was tracked to down here."
The owners of Café Enzo similarly said while they'd been shut, they'd been shocked to turn up to a police van outside the café.
For some, seeing a cordon outside your shop is concerning. Employees at the Premier directly opposite said: “I heard that some one was arrested though we didn’t see or hear anything yesterday. A murder case going on is worrying. Police have been looking at footage. It’s not too impactful for us this morning because it’s not affecting us across the road. We've heard he lived above one of the shops opposite.”
Investigation also continued throughout the day on Victoria Road where the woman was found with serious injuries by police. Forensics officers were combing the scene with a cordon also in place on Norwood Mount behind Victoria Road.
The full statement from West Yorkshire Police reads: "Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman in Leeds. At 6.26pm yesterday, police were called to an ongoing disturbance at an address in Victoria Road, Headingley.
"Officers attended and found a 35-year-old woman with serious injuries. She was taken to hospital by ambulance for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead a short time later.
"Armed officers were deployed to carry out arrest enquiries and detained a 36-year-old man in Kirkstall Road at about 8.30pm. He has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody.
"Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are leading the investigation. Scenes remain in place in Victoria Road and Kirkstall Road to undergo forensic examination."
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