It was a wet and cold Tuesday evening. The Leeds suburb, known to its residents as a safe haven, was quiet - certainly nothing to suggest that specialist emergency service resources were to be deployed into the street.
There is an eerie silence in the air with the only activity being from the odd reveller in Morley Bottoms. Until West Yorkshire Police responded to reports that a man had been sprayed with an unknown substance nearby in Brunswick Street, shortly after 7.30pm on Tuesday (April 11).
Specialist emergency service resources were deployed to the scene and a huge cordon was put in place, closing the road for most on Tuesday evening. A man had been attacked with a substance, which was found to be a suspected CS gas spray, attending officers were also affected.
Read more: Two men arrested after teen slashed in face in horror Leeds attack
The incident has left Morley residents worried of what is happening to their once peaceful Leeds market town, with some claiming it is going 'down the gutter' because of alleged drug dealers and car thieves. Others have claimed how this unusual act for Morley has left them feeling scared.
Heather Gomersall, who has lived in Morley all her life, claims crime in the area is getting worse, she said: "It’s ok people finding this a joke but this is real life. People getting hurt because of d*******s thinking they rule and having no respect for this town.
"I have lived here all my life and this town is going to the gutter because of drug dealers and car thieves. This needs stopping. Think of your kids and grandkids. Do you want them to be stood at a bus stop, walking to school or going to work and one of these idiots hurting them or killing them. Think about that when you're taking the p***."
Paige Olivia Tammy added: "It was so bad, I've never seen so many emergency services as I did last night."
Isabel, who lives in Morley, commented on this incident, saying: "When I was leaving the gym last night I saw like four ambulances go past and was wondering what had happened. I saw on Facebook afterwards, Morley is usually so quiet you don't hear of things like that happening here."
Kaitlan, 19, who works in Morley but lives close by said: “I didn’t see anything but it’s so scary to think someone was attacked”
A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called to Brunswick Street, Morley, shortly after 7.30pm last night (Tuesday, 11 April). On attendance, it was reported that a man had been sprayed with an unknown substance with attending officers also affected.
"Specialist emergency services resources were deployed to the scene. The substance was found to be a suspected CS gas spray. Enquiries are ongoing."
The incident comes not long after police cordoned off Rooms Lane in Morley after two cars rammed each other and evidence of a gun was found. The crash involved a white estate and a black 4x4 vehicle which had rammed each other before both vehicles left the scene in opposite directions. Police found the rear windscreen from a vehicle with damage likely caused by a gun.
And in February, a woman suffered serious injuries after she was stabbed outside a block of flats in Birch Court, Morley, leaving residents fearful for the safety of their kids.
Click here to get all the latest crime stories and updates from the courts straight to your inbox from our free newsletter.
Read next:
- Team behind Leeds restaurant loved by Lewis Capaldi open new venue in the city
Emmerdale star Natalie Anderson to host special Leeds event after life-changing diagnosis admission
Emmerdale's Isobel Steele's exciting new career move following soap exit
11 of the best beer gardens in Leeds city centre for the perfect al fresco pint
Portside Fish & Chips review: We tried the Leeds fish and chip shop named one of the best in the UK
