A traffic collision in the Ely area of Cardiff, Wales on Monday evening sparked rioting overnight that continued for nine hours until the police managed to disperse it. At least twelve police officers were injured in the incident. The trigger for the unrest appears to have been rumours spread on social media that a police chase was responsible for the crash, reportedly involving two teenage boys riding an off-road bike or scooter.
The police deny that a chase occurred, saying that officers only became aware of the collision after being called to the scene. The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m. yesterday, with unrest continuing in the area until 3 a.m. this morning.
According to reports, rioters set cars in the neighbourhood alight, with images circulating of at least two vehicles ablaze at the scene. Those taking part in the unrest also allegedly set fire to wheelie bins and rubbish as they moved through the streets.
While attempting to control the night of ‘violent disorder’, police were also attacked by rioters, described as masked youths, who threw rocks and other missiles at officers. Riot police were called out, as were police on horseback, in an effort to disperse the crowds. Police were also seen guarding the local police station out of concern it might be targeted.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, South Wales police and crime commissioner Alun Michael confirmed that at least twelve officers had been injured during the riot. He said: ‘[The collision] appeared to spark, for reasons that are not clear, the disorder in which something like a dozen officers were injured and the connection between the two is far from clear, so obviously there’s going to be an investigation to establish what happened.’ At least one passerby was also injured after they were also attacked by rioters who falsely believed them to be an undercover police officer.
Scenes from the riot were live-streamed on YouTube, with the feed capturing masked rioters hurling fireworks at police. The number of people rioting is still unconfirmed, although police have said that a number of arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
In a statement this morning, South Wales Police confirmed that the two boys involved in the accident were killed, and suggested that ambulance staff attending the scene may also have been attacked.
Assistant chief constable Mark Travis said: ‘These are scenes we do not expect to see in our communities, particularly a close-knit community such as Ely. We received a large number of calls from residents who were understandably frightened by the actions of this large group who were intent on causing crime and disorder. The level of violence towards emergency services and the damage to property and vehicles was totally unacceptable.’
Unconfirmed reports suggest that such was the level of rioting that emergency services had difficulty accessing and taking the two victims of the traffic accident to hospital. Separate police investigations into the crash and riot have been launched. More to follow.
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