A disturbing incident unfolded in Leeds on November 8, 2023, when three masked teenagers engaged in a violent confrontation using 24-inch machetes in broad daylight. The alarming event, which occurred around 14:30, was captured on video by a passing motorist, revealing the ferocity of the brawl that took place in the middle of Kirkstall Hill.
The footage shows one individual dressed in black repeatedly swinging a machete at another teen. The situation escalated as a third participant entered the fray, resulting in a chaotic melee in which all three were brandishing their weapons. Witnesses described the scene as unsettling, with the brawl lasting approximately ten minutes.
Nigel Himsworth, a 52-year-old father from South Yorkshire, was with his son when they encountered the brawl while returning from a soccer match. Himsworth recounted, “We were coming down the slip road and there were cars stopped in front of us.” Upon seeing the teenagers fighting, he rolled down his window to get a better view. “It made me feel sick to the bone, it was brutal,” he added, noting that the experience left his son visibly upset.
The violence intensified as two of the teenagers ran towards an electric bike parked nearby. Shortly thereafter, one individual charged at the third participant, striking him with the machete. The latter was later seen kneeling on the ground, reportedly injured during the altercation. Himsworth expressed concern over the apparent lawlessness, saying, “I’ve never seen a weapon so big in my life; they were huge.”
The West Yorkshire Police Department reported that officers arrived at the scene only after the suspects had fled on electric bikes. Following the incident, an 18-year-old male was arrested and charged with threatening a person with a blade in a public space. His injuries were serious but non-life-threatening, and he is expected to appear in court at a later date.
The police did not provide immediate comments regarding the incident, but the shocking nature of the confrontation has raised alarms about youth violence and public safety. Himsworth’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers present in everyday environments, particularly as communities grapple with rising concerns surrounding violent crime.