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Cardiff riot: Pictures show aftermath of 'disgusting' night of violence in Ely

Violence broke out in the Ely area of Cardiff on Monday evening after two teenage boys were killed in a crash.

Bricks and concrete strewn all over Snowden Road in Ely, Cardiff, on Tuesday. (Reach)
Bricks and concrete strewn all over Snowden Road in Ely, Cardiff, on Tuesday. (Reach)

Residents in the Ely area of Cardiff have condemned the violence on their streets on Monday night as "disgusting" and "terrible".

The rioting happened after two teenage boys died in a crash, South Wales Police said.

The two boys were named locally on Tuesday as friends Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16.

They were reportedly killed in a crash involving an electric bike.

Up to 12 police officers were injured in the rioting, as cars were set alight and fireworks and paving slabs were thrown at them. A number of arrests have been made.

Between 100 and 150 people gathered on the streets of Ely on Monday evening and into Tuesday morning.

The scene in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called
A council worker picks up debris in Ely, Cardiff, after Monday night's rioting. (PA)

South Wales Police stated rumours had spread on social media claiming that the boys had been chased by police, but said its officers did not arrive on the scene until after the crash.

However, CCTV footage emerged on Tuesday afternoon showing a police van driving closely behind two people on an electric bike or moped around 900m from where the crash took place.

It is believed the video, which was obtained by the news agency Wales News and appears to have been taken from a private CCTV camera attached to a house, was widely viewed in the local area and had been seen by the boys' families.

South Wales Police Chief Superintendent Martyn Stone said the force had received the footage but added there were no police vehicles on the road at the time of the crash.

The force has since referred itself to the police watchdog and acknowledged the footage showed a police vehicle following a bike just prior to 6pm.

Read more: What happened to cause Ely riots in Cardiff?

Smoke rises from Snowden Road in Ely, Cardiff, on Tuesday morning. (Reach)
Smoke rises from Snowden Road in Ely, Cardiff, on Tuesday morning. (Reach)
Council workers clear debris from the area immediately around a car that was set alight in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called
Council workers clear debris from the area around a car that was set alight in Ely, Cardiff. (PA)

On Tuesday morning, there was debris all across the road at the scene of the rioting.

Stones and bricks were strewn across the street, along with a glass door that had been ripped out of someone's home.

The remains of burnt out or damaged cars also lined the streets, as council workers began the clean-up operation.

Watch: Clean-up operation begins in Cardiff following riots on Monday night

One resident, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said of the rioting: "I initially wondered what all the noise was outside. I looked out and couldn't believe it.

"It is so sad. I think a lot of people involved were not from Ely.

"None of the people on our street would have been doing that. It is disgusting.

"My nephew's car has been ruined and he has got three kids. It is terrible. I can't believe it."

One resident said she feared last night's violence was a "copycat" of the Ely bread riots during September 1991, when unrest flared after a dispute between two shopkeepers over council restrictions on who could sell bread and other food products.

The scene in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called
The scene in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. (PA)
The scene in Snowden Road, Ely, Cardiff, on Tuesday after a night of rioting. (Reach)
The scene in Snowden Road, Ely, Cardiff, on Tuesday after a night of rioting. (Reach)

Resident Jacqui Davies, 59, said: "This brings it all back. It was terrible but a lot of the yobs here think it was great – we call them the Ely riots and it is still talked about around here.

"It was just an excuse to get out and cause trouble. It wasn't so much to do with the price of bread as an excuse to have a go at the police. But we still remember the trouble and the fear it caused.

"This time two young boys have died. There should be more respect for their families and not cause this trouble in their names."

Another woman said: "This brings it back. We don't want it here. I know these kids are angry but this is making our lives worse not better."

Ely riot: Read more

Cardiff Council leader Huw Thomas called for calm after Monday night's rioting.

He said: “My thoughts and deepest sympathies this morning are with the families of the young people who died in the road collision yesterday. This is a tragic event and they, and we, need to understand what happened and why.

“The best way we can achieve this is by letting the investigation begin as soon as possible. Any further trouble will only delay that investigation.

Council workers clear debris from the area immediately around a car that was set alight in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called
Council workers carry out a clean-up operation in Ely, Cardiff, on Tuesday. (PA)
Police in riot shields are facing off against large crowds around a fire in Ely, Cardiff, hurling bricks and blazing items at them. The
Onlookers watch smoke rise from a burning vehicle in Ely, Cardiff, on Monday. (Reach)
The scene in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called
An overturned car burnt out in Ely, Cardiff, on Tuesday. (PA)

“I know the majority of people in Ely are deeply worried and concerned about the scenes last night.

“It’s really important that a full investigation into what happened, and into how the road collision occurred, can take place immediately.

“For that to happen we need calm. Any continuation of last night’s trouble will only hamper any investigation."

Watch: Rioters hurl missiles at police during violent disorder in Cardiff