A TERRIFIED couple fled their home after a printing shop was petrol-bombed in Newsome.

It was the most serious incident on  what police described as “a quieter  night” on Huddersfield’s streets, but  there were still pockets of wanton  violence and damage and three separate arson attacks across the town.

Six more people were arrested, bringing the total last night to 11 since the disorder began.

Kirklees Council surveyor Samantha Stephens and her fiance David  Jenkins were asleep in their Ruth  Street home at Newsome when they  were woken by a large bang and  flames shooting up the side of their  property.

Samantha, 30, said: “It was about  11.40pm and we woke up to a loud  bang, smashing glass and a flash of  flames.

“We pulled on our clothes, called  the emergency services and got outside.”

A gang of five youths had thrown  rocks and a petrol bomb at the Recognition Express printing shop next door to the couple’s home at the  junction of Church Lane and Ruth  Street.

Samantha praised a middle-aged  passer-by who was walking past with  his partner and put the fire out with  his jacket before police and fire services arrived.

Samantha added: “It is people like  this who help keep our communities  safe and unnecessary violence at  bay.
“You hear all too often of Good  Samaritans getting seriously hurt, so  he was extremely brave to have confronted the youths  and put out  the  fire. We are deeply indebted to  him.”

Arsonists also attacked the Leeds  Road premises of John Shaw’s commercial van hire around 11.30pm,  torching one van and the fire spread  to another.

Watch commander Stephen Bates,  of Elland fire service, said there was a  heavy police presence in the area.

He said crews from Elland and  Mirfield spent a couple of hours at  the scene and had to break into the  premises to ensure the fire had not  spread inside the building.

Kirklees Divisional Police Commander Chief Supt John Robins said: “We  are pleased to be able to say that it  was a lot quieter in Huddersfield last  night, with no disorder or attempted  looting and no significant groups of  people present on the streets.

“Our officers made six more  arrests in connection with incidents  that took place in Sheepridge and  Deighton on Tuesday night and  Wednesday morning.

“There were, however three separate arson attacks at business properties across Huddersfield last night  and a full investigation is underway,  which will include establishing if  there are any links to the previous  night’s disorder.

“I pledge to the communities  affected by the disorder on Tuesday  night and last night that we will  relentlessly pursue anyone suspected  of being involved.  Where we can, we  will arrest them and bring them to  justice”.

More police patrols were out in  Huddersfield last night and a team of  detectives has been set up to investigate the crimes.

Chief Supt Robins added: “Once  again, I thank the communities  around Huddersfield for the way  they supported the police officers on  Wednesday night and for the positive  comments they gave the officers who  were out on the streets”.

Police say the men arrested in  connection with the attack on the  Chestnut Centre in Deighton are a  22-year-old man from Stuart Place, a  17-year-old from Alandale Road,  and a 39-year-old from Bradley  Road, all in Bradley.

Two youths and a man have been  arrested in connection with the  attack on the Top Club at Sheepridge  and the looting and damage at Asda,  Bradford Road.

They are a 16-year-old from Well  Grove and a 15-year-old from  Bracken Grove in Sheepridge and a  23-year-old from Albion Street.

Clr Mehboob Khan, leader of  Kirklees Council, praised the actions  of the police and members of local  communities.Clr Khan said:  “Thanks to the prompt and decisive  actions of police officers, and the  communities who worked proactively to discourage anybody from  causing trouble and taking part in  criminal acts, we saw a quiet night in  Huddersfield on Wednesday.

“This is the true picture of  Kirklees and more of a reflection of  our communities – where people have  pride in their local area – than the  vandalism we saw in isolated incidents on Tuesday, and I would like to  thank the police and those communities whose actions helped.”

The Top Club is unable to host an  18th birthday party on Saturday  because of the damage. which was damaged in the riots, has failed a fire inspection to re-open in time for an 18th birthday party on Saturday.

The closure comes as a blow to Westi Calcutt had booked the venue for 150 guests. 

Anyone who can offer an alternative  venue call William on 07908812518.