On Tuesday, officials reported that dozens of youths actively engaged in pelting objects at police officers. And setting vehicles and trash cans on fire in Cardiff following the deaths of two teenagers in a car accident in Ely.
Officers responded to the scene of a collision in the Ely district of the Welsh capital on Monday evening. Where “large-scale disorder” reportedly erupted.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Travis of the South Wales Police stated, “We express our first thoughts to the families of the two boys. They died in a car accident in Ely as well as those affected by the subsequent disorder.”
Incidents like these are neither expected nor welcomed in close-knit communities like Ely.
YouTube live streams depicted scenes of dozens of individuals, many wearing hoods or ski masks. Actively milling about while others hurled objects and fired fireworks at a line of police officers with riot shields blocking one end of the street.
The sound of a helicopter overhead could be heard as a fire burned fiercely. One car was deliberately set ablaze and consumed by flames shortly before midnight. While another vehicle was overturned and set on fire.
In response to rumours targeting Ely Police Station, police officers were stationed in front of the station in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police confirmed making arrests but did not provide specific numbers.
Alun Michael, the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner informed the BBC that twelve police officers sustained injuries. None of which were life-threatening.
Michael explained that the violence stemmed from a fatal accident. Involving “two teenagers on an off-road bike or scooter.” According to him, false rumours circulated in the area that the accident was a result of a police pursuit.
Police clarified that the collision “had already occurred when officers arrived.”
A local resident named John Urquhart highlighted that tensions escalated when the police failed to communicate with the community regarding the incident.
“The crowd was not engaged, and they displayed nothing but contempt for the community. Acting as if we had no right to know what happened on our own doorstep,” he expressed.
“The police should have had people out in the community, talking to them and easing their concerns.”
