Twenty arrested over Ely riot sparked by death of teenagers

A total of 20 people have so far been arrested in connection with a riot that happened in Ely, South Wales, following the deaths of two teenagers, police have confirmed.

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died on the evening of Monday May 22 when they crashed on a Sur-Ron electric bike minutes after CCTV had captured them being followed by a police van.

Hours of violence and disorder was sparked when news of their deaths and the suggestion police had been pursuing the pair prior to the incident spread throughout the community and on social media.

South Wales Police said 17 males and three females, aged between 14 and 36, had now been arrested on suspicion of riot.

Cardiff road traffic collision
Floral tributes left to Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans on Snowden Road, Ely, Cardiff following their deaths in a road accident (Rod Minchin/PA)

Four were detained on the night while five were arrested in the early hours of Thursday May 25.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ceri Hughes said: “During the disorder several vehicles were set alight, property was damaged, police officers were injured, and residents were scared in their homes.

“As part of the investigation so far, over 290 pieces of body worn footage from police officers has been gathered, as well as several hours of videos posted on social media, drone, helicopter, and CCTV footage.

Cardiff road traffic collision
Screen shot taken from CCTV dated 22/05/23 appearing to show a police van on Howell Road as it was following two teenagers on a bike (PA)

“More arrests are expected as we continue to identify those involved and we are still appealing for witnesses, information, and footage.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is conducting an investigating into the force’s actions surrounding the collision after footage of the marked police vehicle following the boys emerged the next day.

Cardiff road traffic collision
A Ford Focus car set alight on Highmead Road, Ely, Cardiff, during a ‘large scale disorder’ (Bronwen Weatherby/PA)

It said it is also investigating whether the actions and decisions of South Wales Police over the interaction were in line with legislation, local and national policies and procedures.

South Wales Police said it would provide the IOPC with all the information it had to allow for a thorough investigation.

It said the families of Kyrees and Harvey continue to be supported by family liaison officers.

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