Cardiff bike crash – latest: Family of teen killed reveal what started riot after ‘police chase’
Family members of the two boys killed in Cardiff while riding an electric bike have revealed what sparked the riot that followed the teenagers’ deaths.
Following the vigil for Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, attended by a thousand in Ely on Friday night, the younger boy’s aunt and grandmother spoke of the community’s anger at the lack of answers following the revelation of footage of “police chasing” the teenagers on Monday evening, shortly before they died.
CCTV footage of a marked South Wales Police van following the teenagers as they rode a Sur-Ron electric bike quickly spread on social media after the incident, leading to violent clashes and disorder in Ely.
Harvey’s aunt Hayley Murphy and grandmother Dawn Rees have now revealed to the BBC: “We were stood at the barrier and we were begging them, begging them, to tell us if they were alive or dead, and they wouldn’t tell us nothing – and then someone ran into the crowd and said ‘I’ve got a video of the police chasing them’, and that is what started it.
“That’s what got everyone angry, so I understand because we wasn’t getting no answers.”
Key Points
Family of teen killed reveal what started riot
Great uncle of teenager killed hits out at police
Nine arrested over riots which followed fatal Cardiff crash, police say
'Police killed my son,' says mother of e-bike crash victim
Police vehicle was half a mile away, says force chief
CCTV ‘shows police van driving behind bike minutes before fatal crash’
Family of teen killed reveal what started riot
09:09 , Tara Cobham
Family members of the two boys killed in Cardiff while riding an electric bike have revealed what sparked the riot that followed the teenagers’ deaths.
Following the vigil for Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, attended by a thousand in Ely on Friday night, the younger boy’s aunt and grandmother spoke of the community’s anger at the lack of answers following the revelation of footage of “police chasing” the teenagers on Monday evening, shortly before they died.
CCTV footage of a marked South Wales Police van following the teenagers as they rode a Sur-Ron electric bike quickly spread on social media after the incident, leading to violent clashes and disorder in Ely.
Harvey’s aunt Hayley Murphy and grandmother Dawn Rees have now revealed to the BBC: “We were stood at the barrier and we were begging them, begging them, to tell us if they were alive or dead, and they wouldn’t tell us nothing – and then someone ran into the crowd and said ‘I’ve got a video of the police chasing them’, and that is what started it.
“That’s what got everyone angry, so I understand because we wasn’t getting no answers.”
Police watchdog to assess whether to launch probe into Cardiff deaths crash
Wednesday 24 May 2023 04:00 , Joe Middleton
The police watchdog has announced it will send investigators to assess whether it will carry out an independent probe into a crash in Cardiff which killed two teenagers and sparked a riot.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were killed in the Ely area on Monday while riding an electric bike.
Chief Superintendent of South Wales Police Martyn Stone told a press conference in Cardiff on Tuesday that a “mandatory referral” had been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the disorder to “ensure the matter receives independent scrutiny”.
Police watchdog to assess whether to launch probe into Cardiff deaths crash
What caused the trouble in Cardiff?
Wednesday 24 May 2023 04:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta
A crash that killed two teenagers appears to have “sparked” the rioting in Cardiff on Monday night, the Police and Crime Commissioner in South Wales has said.
Police faced what they called a “large scale disorder” after receiving reports of a collision on Snowden Rd in Ely around 6pm, with tensions reaching breaking point as cars were set on fire and fireworks were shot at officers.
Alun Michael told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday morning: “My understanding is that there was a road traffic accident involving two teenagers on an off-road bike or scooter and sadly, they died. That’s an incident obviously that is being investigated in its own right.
“And that appears to have sparked, for reasons that aren’t clear, the disorder… in which something like a dozen officers were injured.
“Fortunately, none of them life-threatening, and the connection between the two is far from clear.”
South Wales Police confirmed on Tuesday that it has received CCTV footage that shows a police van following a bike ahead of a fatal collision that killed the two teenagers.
Earlier Mr Michael had denied a police chase.
“It would appear that there were rumours, and those rumours became rife, of a police chase, which wasn’t the case and I think it illustrates the speed with which rumours can run around with the activity that goes on social media nowadays, and that events can get out of hand,” he said on BBC Radio 4.
Clean-up operation underway after night of rioting in Cardiff
Wednesday 24 May 2023 05:00 , Joe Middleton
Police commissioner declines to comment on footage
Wednesday 24 May 2023 05:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta
South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael declined to comment on footage in which a police van can be seen following two people on either a moped or electric bike, apparently minutes before the crash.
He said to the BBC on Tuesday: “You should examine the carefully-worded statement from the chief superintendent.”
Earlier Mr Michael had denied a police chase.
“It would appear that there were rumours, and those rumours became rife, of a police chase, which wasn’t the case and I think it illustrates the speed with which rumours can run around with the activity that goes on social media nowadays, and that events can get out of hand,” he said on BBC Radio 4.
ICYMI: Disabled woman ‘trapped’ after Cardiff rioters torched her car during night of violence
Wednesday 24 May 2023 06:00 , Joe Middleton
A disabled woman has said she is now “trapped” after rioters torched her car during violent clashes in Cardiff overnight.
Trouble started on Monday evening after a serious crash on Snowdon Road in the Ely area in which two teenagers died.
Clashes continued into the early hours of Tuesday morning, with people throwing fireworks and other missiles at riot police.
Disabled woman ‘trapped’ after rioters torched her car during night of violence
ICYMI: CCTV shows police van following electric bike before fatal Cardiff crash
Wednesday 24 May 2023 06:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta
CCTV footage shows a police van following an electric bike minutes before a fatal crash which sparked a night of riots in Cardiff, Wales.
The footage, obtained by Wales News, shows the bike being followed by the vehicle on Frank Road, Ely, less than a mile from the collision site.
Watch:
CCTV shows police van following electric bike before fatal Cardiff crash
Mother of dead boy begs for Cardiff rioters 'all to stop'
Wednesday 24 May 2023 07:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta
The mother of one of the teenagers whose deaths in a road accident sparked a riot begged for a stop to the violence – as her son’s body lay in the street where he died.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and 15-year-old Harvey Evans were killed in the Ely area of Cardiff while riding an electric bike.
At around midnight Belinda Sullivan, Kyrees’s mother, pleaded with the rioters to stop because her son’s body remained at the scene of the collision.
Writing on Facebook, she said: “My son is still laying on the floor due to this riot.
“I’m sat at home heart broken.
“There are two families broken right now I just want to see my son and I can’t because of this riot that has happened.
“Please I beg you all to stop and let my son be moved to hospital so I can see him we need to see our sons.”
Police watchdog to assess whether to launch probe into Cardiff deaths crash
Wednesday 24 May 2023 07:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta
The police watchdog has announced it will send investigators to assess whether it will carry out an independent probe into a crash in Cardiff which killed two teenagers and sparked a riot.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were killed in the Ely area on Monday while riding an electric bike.
Chief Superintendent of South Wales Police Martyn Stone told a press conference in Cardiff on Tuesday that a “mandatory referral” had been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the disorder to “ensure the matter receives independent scrutiny”.
Read more:
Police watchdog to assess whether to launch probe into Cardiff deaths crash
Police chief insists two boys killed in fatal Ely crash were not chased
Wednesday 24 May 2023 08:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The police commissioner has insisted that two teenagers killed in a fatal car crash in Ely were not being chased by the police.
South Wales Police confirmed on Tuesday that it has received CCTV footage that shows a police van following a bike ahead of a fatal collision that killed two teenagers in Cardiff and sparked a riot.
However, in comments to Radio Wales Breakfast this morning, the South Wales’ police and crime commissionerAlun Michael said: “I was assured, and I am still assured, that the youths were not being chased by the police at the time of the road traffic accident.”
Relatives of teen victims criticise police as they accuse them of fatal car chase
Wednesday 24 May 2023 08:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The relatives of the young victims who died in a fatal car crash on Monday have condemned the police as they claim officers pursued the boys in a car chase.
“My nephew and his best mate are dead because they chased him on a little electric motorbike,” the uncle of killed 16-year-old Kyrees told The Times.
Meanwhile, Harvey’s godmother, Bridy Bool, said the pair had done nothing to trigger a police chase, describing them as “bare-faced innocent children”.
South Wales police commissioner ‘assured’ the killed teens were not chased by police
Wednesday 24 May 2023 09:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Two teenagers who were killed in a crash while riding an electric bike in Cardiff on Monday night were not being chased by police at the time of the collision, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has suggested.
Appearing on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme for a second day in a row, Alun Michael said: “Information emerged after we had done the interview (on Tuesday) which has to be investigated, and the question has to be asked of whether there is a connection between earlier events and the road traffic accident itself.
“We have to look at the facts of what actually happened on Monday. I am assured and I am still assured youths were not being chased by the police at the time of the road traffic accident.
“The road traffic accident is being carefully investigated but there wasn’t a police vehicle in the road where and when the actual accident happened.
“The impression that was given was that of youngsters being chased by the police and an accident happened, an immediate one to the other. That I am still assured is not what happened but information emerged of the vehicle and the youngsters in the same street, a different street, shortly before the event, that of course then comes into something that should be investigated.”
When broadcaster Martha Kearney suggested that this leaves open the possibility of a police chase, he replied: “It leaves open the possibility. I was assured there was not ... police chasing the individuals at the time the accident happened. That there may have been something earlier is of course something that should be fully investigated.”
Mother of one of boys whose deaths sparked riot in Cardiff begged yobs to stop
Wednesday 24 May 2023 10:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The mother of one of the teenagers whose deaths in a road accident sparked a riot begged the yobs to stop their violence – as her son’s body lay in the street where he died.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and 15-year-old Harvey Evans were killed in the Ely area of Cardiff while riding an electric bike.
Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the scene in Snowden Road shortly after 6pm on Monday.
Mother of one of boys whose deaths sparked riot in Cardiff begged yobs to stop
Commissioner who dismissed claims of Cardiff police chase before riot now admits ‘possibility’
Wednesday 24 May 2023 10:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
After dismissing rumours two teenage boys killed in the crash that led to the Cardiff riots were being chased by police, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has now admitted it is a “possibility”.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and 15-year-old Harvey Evans were killed in a collision while riding an electric bike in Ely on Monday evening, sparking a night of violence with cars torched and clashes with riot police.
PCC Alun Michael suggested on Tuesday morning that rumours of a police chase prior to the crash had become “rife” shortly before locals clashed with officers - 15 of whom were injured, according to the force - but said this version of events “wasn’t the case”.
Commissioner who dismissed claims of Cardiff police chase now admits ‘possibility’
What happened in Cardiff on Monday night?
Wednesday 24 May 2023 11:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A crash that killed two teenagers appears to have “sparked” the rioting seen in Cardiff on Monday evening, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has said.
Police faced what they called “large scale disorder” after receiving reports of a collision on Snowden Road in Ely around 6pm on Monday, with tensions reaching breaking point as cars were set on fire and fireworks were shot at officers.
Alun Michael told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday morning: “My understanding is that there was a road traffic accident involving two teenagers on an off-road bike or scooter and sadly, they died. That’s an incident obviously that is being investigated in its own right.”
What happened in Cardiff on Monday night?
Watch: Tributes laid for Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans after fatal Cardiff crash
Wednesday 24 May 2023 11:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Family friend of victim claims police ‘lost’ the teens in an alleged car chase
Wednesday 24 May 2023 12:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The parents of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, had been to see them at hospital and had been kept updated by South Wales Police, a family friend said.
“I’m OK in myself, I’m just absolutely devastated and heartbroken for my friends. My heart is hurting,” they said. “That’s the little boy I used to babysit and push around in a pram. It is so, so sad. They both went to see their boys yesterday and they are both very numb and haven’t gone much to say at the moment.”
The friend said the video circulated on social media supported claims a marked police van was following the teenagers in the Ely area of Cardiff.
They believed the boys had got away from the police by riding up Stanwey Road, which is blocked off to traffic at one end, and had then ridden onto the adjacent Snowden Road where the crash occurred.
South Wales Police have said they are investigating claims of a pursuit but said the collision had already happened when the first officers arrived on the scene.
“The reason why the police wasn’t on the scene is because the boys have gone through a blocked street and the police knew they couldn’t go that way so they have turned onto Grand Avenue, which led the boys to cut through onto Stanway Road onto Snowden Road,” they said.
“The police have already stated they were on Grand Avenue and they were not on the scene. They weren’t on the scene because they lost them.”
IOPC to conduct investigation into fatal crash in Ely
Wednesday 24 May 2023 13:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The Independent Office for Police Conduct will investigate a crash in Ely, Cardiff, on Monday which killed two teenagers, after CCTV footage emerged of a police vehicle following a bike prior to the incident.
Police watchdog to probe ‘any interaction’ between officers and killed teens
Wednesday 24 May 2023 13:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The police watchdog will probe “any interaction” between South Wales Police officers and two teenage boys before they were killed in the Ely area of Cardiff while riding an electric bike.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said in a statement: “Following a referral from South Wales Police we have decided to independently investigate an incident in Ely, Cardiff, on Monday which resulted in the deaths of two teenagers.
“Our decision to investigate follows our attendance at the police post incident procedure and after a review of the information received to date.
“We will be examining any interaction between the police and the boys after CCTV footage emerged apparently showing a police vehicle following a bike prior to the incident.”
Cardiff riots: CCTV ‘shows police van driving behind bike minutes before fatal crash’
Wednesday 24 May 2023 13:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Newly-emerged CCTV footage appears to show a police vehicle driving behind an electric bike minutes before a fatal crash which killed two teenagers and sparked a riot in Cardiff.
Two teenage boys – Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15 – were killed while riding an electric bike in Ely on Monday evening, in a crash police said was followed by “large-scale disorder” in which 15 officers were injured, with cars torched and fireworks set off.
South Wales police and crime commissioner Alun Michael suggested on Tuesday morning that rumours of a police chase prior to the crash had become “rife” shortly before locals clashed with officers, but said this version of events “wasn’t the case”.
However, CCTV footage emerged hours later appearing to show a police van driving behind an electric bike on Frank Road in Ely, some 900m from the scene at 5.59pm, minutes before the crash.
CCTV ‘shows police van driving behind bike minutes before fatal crash’
Photos show extent of wreckage on Monday night’s riots
Wednesday 24 May 2023 14:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Scenes being livestreamed on YouTube on Monday night showed youths throwing fireworks and other missiles at a line of police officers with riot shields who were blocking one end of the street.
Rioters set alight the Ford Focus of local Jane Palmer on Highmead Road, Ely.
Police watchdog director says circumstances leading to crash to be ‘independently investigated’
Wednesday 24 May 2023 14:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
IOPC director David Ford said: “First and foremost our thoughts and sympathies go out to the families and friends of the two boys who sadly lost their lives on Monday evening in Ely. It is important that we independently investigate the circumstances leading up to this tragic event.
“This incident and the events that followed have, understandably, attracted significant interest and public concern. It is important that we thoroughly and independently investigate this matter, in order to establish the full facts and circumstances of exactly what happened on Monday.”
Vigil planned at 6pm today for killed teenagers
Wednesday 24 May 2023 14:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A vigil and balloon release has been planned to pay tribute to two teenagers who died in a crash in Ely, Wales on Monday.
A post on Facebook said the vigil would take place at 6pm Friday on Snowden Road where the crash happened.
The post asked those attending to bring blue balloons.
What happened in Cardiff on Monday night?
Wednesday 24 May 2023 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A crash that killed two teenagers appears to have “sparked” the rioting seen in Cardiff on Monday evening, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has said.
Police faced what they called “large scale disorder” after receiving reports of a collision on Snowden Road in Ely around 6pm on Monday, with tensions reaching breaking point as cars were set on fire and fireworks were shot at officers.
What happened in Cardiff on Monday night?
Commissioner who dismissed claims of Cardiff police chase before riot now admits ‘possibility’
Wednesday 24 May 2023 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
After dismissing rumours two teenage boys killed in the crash that led to the Cardiff riots were being chased by police, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has now admitted it is a “possibility”.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and 15-year-old Harvey Evans were killed in a collision while riding an electric bike in Ely on Monday evening, sparking a night of violence with cars torched and clashes with riot police.
PCC Alun Michael suggested on Tuesday morning that rumours of a police chase prior to the crash had become “rife” shortly before locals clashed with officers - 15 of whom were injured, according to the force - but said this version of events “wasn’t the case”.
Commissioner who dismissed claims of Cardiff police chase now admits ‘possibility’
Boys’ families issue tributes
Wednesday 24 May 2023 16:31 , Jane Dalton
The families of the two boys who died have issued grief-stricken tributes to them and appealed for peace in the area.
Harvey’s family said: “Our hearts are truly broken by the sudden death of Harvey, our much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, friend, and boyfriend.
“He lived life to the full, he had a big heart and deep down he truly cared. He was a best friend to Kyrees, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family also.
“We ask for peace within the community and request that people leave the investigation to the police so we can get the answers we so desperately need to lay Harvey to rest.
“As Harvey’s mum I want to remember our son as the fun and loving son that he was and not as the media are portraying him now.”
Kyrees’ family said: “Kyrees was a loving, caring handsome young man, a loving son to Belinda and Craig, little brother to Aleah and Jordan and a special uncle KyKy to Myra.
“He was loved so much by his grandparents and aunties and uncles and his many cousins.
“Him and Harvey along with Niall were best friends since they were young and went everywhere together, they both had so many friends and were very well liked doing many things together, having fun & laughs!!
“They were loved by not only their families but by their community as well. Belinda, Craig & families, would like to thank everyone for all their kind words, flowers, and messages since they lost their son.”
Wednesday 24 May 2023 16:36 , Jane Dalton
Police are starting a press conference to issue an update on the case.
No police car in Snowden Road, police say
Wednesday 24 May 2023 16:39 , Jane Dalton
Police said they are aware of concerns in the community around the timings so are confirming the timings.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said it was a complex investigation.
At 17.49 CCTV showed the bike turning around
The police car did not have blue flashing lights on.
At 18.06 the police car put its lights on after receiving information of a crash.
Ms Bacon said there was no police car in Snowden Road, where the crash happened.
Police chief defends force
Wednesday 24 May 2023 16:46 , Jane Dalton
Questioned on why police allowed the Police and Crime Commissioner’s claim that rumours of a chase were false persist, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon defended her force’s actions, saying the facts had not been clear.
She said police had hundreds of hours of CCTV to go through, she had been transparent and officers were listening to people in the community.
“We’re passionate about protecting the people of Ely,” she said, and police wanted to understand why the two boys died.
Ms Bacon left the press conference amid a barrage of questions from journalists.
Police van ‘was half a mile away'
Wednesday 24 May 2023 17:03 , Jane Dalton
A police van seen behind two teenagers in Cardiff was half a mile away when the crash that killed them happened, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said.
Police say timeline shows vehicle was in Grand Avenue
Wednesday 24 May 2023 17:16 , Jane Dalton
This is the timeline of events given by Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon:
“At 17.59.40 CCTV shows the bike travelling towards the police vehicle in Frank Road, the bike then turns around.
“18.00.52 the bike is then followed by the police vehicle. You can already see on CCTV images that there were no blue lights or sirens in use.
“18.01.18 police vehicle is at New Church Ely roundabout and travels through Archer Road, Stanway Road and Howell Road.
“18.02.31 police vehicle turns onto Grand Avenue.
“18.02.18-18.02.41 this is the approximate time of the road traffic collision that took place on Snowden Road. At the time of the collision, the police vehicle is in Grand Avenue, half a mile away from Snowden Road.”
She said: “This is a complex investigation and we had to be sure of the facts before confirming them. We have been busy obtaining witness accounts, analysing tracking data from police vehicles and studying CCTV, and this is what we know now.”
We must catch violent offenders, says police chief
Wednesday 24 May 2023 17:24 , Jane Dalton
South Wales Police must focus now on bringing to justice offenders during a night of violence in Ely, Cardiff, on Monday, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said.
“All I can tell you is that we have done our best given the circumstances we have faced with the information we have had,” she said.
“We have been as honest and direct, and I’m here today to give the information we have now.
“I’ve still got hundreds of hours of investigation that will need to take place.
“I know you’re not going to get all the answers you want today, but speaking to the communities of Ely, we are here to protect you, we absolutely understand it was a terrible night.
“We need to focus on bringing those offenders to justice.”
Ms Bacon said South Wales Police has done the best it could have given the circumstances surrounding Monday night and Tuesday morning, and still had hundreds of hours’ worth of footage to go through.
No officers questioned under caution
Wednesday 24 May 2023 17:26 , Jane Dalton
No police officers have been questioned under caution since Monday’s disorder in Ely, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said.
She then left the press conference amid confusion as numerous questions were being asked.
Families remember ‘best friends'
Wednesday 24 May 2023 17:29 , Jane Dalton
The families of Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan paid tribute to the “best friends” as they released a photograph of the pair as young children.
“They were loved by not only their families but by their community as well,” they said.
More photos of boys who died
Wednesday 24 May 2023 18:00 , Jane Dalton
Watch: Officers have not been interviewed under caution, say police
Wednesday 24 May 2023 18:20 , Jane Dalton
Reputation damage will take years to recover, says first minister
Wednesday 24 May 2023 19:06 , Jane Dalton
It will take years for the Ely community’s reputation to recover, the Welsh first minister has predicted.
Mark Drakeford said he had “sorrow” for the family and friends of the teenage boys who died on Monday, but also for the wider community.
“My main thoughts were of just profound sorrow for two young lives that have been lost and their families and their friends, and everything it will mean to them,” he told the BBC.
“But also profound sorrow for that wider community in Ely, which is full of utterly decent, hard-working people that ask only to lead their lives in a way that is peaceful and unmolested, and the reputational damage that is done by the scenes that we saw takes years for a community to recover.”
First minister defends crime commissioner
Wednesday 24 May 2023 19:14 , Jane Dalton
The first minister of Wales has defended a police and crime commissioner (PCC) who denied officers had been chasing two teenagers on a bike minutes before they were killed in a road accident.
Mark Drakeford suggested Alun Michael, the PCC for South Wales, was “entitled” to rely on information supplied to him by South Wales Police.
Mr Michael had denied there had been a pursuit but was contradicted within hours by video footage showing a marked police van following two boys on a bike.
He later said he had been “assured and I am still assured youths were not being chased by the police at the time of the road traffic accident”.
Mr Drakeford said calls for Mr Michael to quit were to “trivialise the reaction to these tragic events”.
“I’m very determined not to turn anything that happened in Ely into a political football involving individuals,” he told the BBC.
First minister to urge authorities to examine cause of violence
Wednesday 24 May 2023 19:45 , Jane Dalton
Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford said he was looking to hold a meeting with public authorities to see whether more could be done in the community of Ely following the disorder.
He said: “13,000 people live in Ely. It is larger than almost any Welsh town, so it’s an area which has a huge mix of people in it and what we saw on Monday in no way at all represents the bulk of people who live in that part of Cardiff.
“The events themselves, as we know, will be investigated by police.
“I hope myself to convene a meeting on Friday of main public authorities to look at not what happened on Monday night but the background of precipitating causes to see just what more we can do to give confidence to people on the estate, that the police have the resources they need to respond effectively and promptly to incidents that happen, and whether there is more that can be done to help young people growing up in that area.”
'Police have questions to answer’
Wednesday 24 May 2023 19:55 , Jane Dalton
Mr Drakeford said there is “repair work to be done” between police and the community of Ely.
He said: “Well, I think there is repair work to be done in that relationship.
“I think there has been an anxiety, not just this week but over a period of time, that the police don’t have the capacity they need to respond to crime committed or antisocial behaviour that takes place, and if people don’t have confidence that if things go wrong and they don’t get the response that is needed, that can breed a longer-term sense of lack of trust in public authorities.”
He said: “There are questions for police to answer, we know they have referred themselves to the independent investigation service, we must allow that to do its job.
People must wait for South Wales Police to be investigated before making a judgment, he said.
Wednesday 24 May 2023 19:56 , Jane Dalton
We are now putting our coverage of the Cardiff case on hold for the evening.
Police officer 'had grudge' against Cardiff teens, claims friend
Thursday 25 May 2023 06:48 , Stuti Mishra
A police officer had a grudge against the two teenagers and had previously tried to "run them off the road", a friend has claimed.
John Silver, 19, who said he was a friend of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, told the Daily Mail the police have had issues with e-bikes in the area.
"They are legal but the police don't like the boys on them," he alleged.
One officer in particular would try to run them off the road whenever he saw them.
John Silver, a friend of Cardiff teens
"The police say they weren't chasing the boys but if that officer was in the area they would want to keep away from him."
'Police killed my son,' says mother of e-bike crash victim
Thursday 25 May 2023 07:03 , Stuti Mishra
The mother of one of the teens who died in an e-bike crash in Cardiff has alleged that the police "killed" her son.
At a vigil for the boys last night, Belinda Sullivan, mother of Kyrees, told The Daily Telegraph: “The police killed my son. I’ve got nothing else to say.”
The South Wales Police have been under fire since the death of the two teenagers, who were allegedly chased by a police van. The deaths sparked riots in Cardiff on Monday.
‘Our hearts are truly broken’: Families of ‘best friends’ killed in Cardiff crash pay tribute
Thursday 25 May 2023 07:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The families of two teenage best friends killed in a crash in Cardiff that sparked riots have paid tribute, saying their “hearts are truly broken” as they pleaded for “peace within the community”.
Harvey Evans, 15, died alongside Kyrees Sullivan, 16, after the crash in the Ely area on Monday evening.
Video footage on social media appears to show the two boys on an electric bike being followed by a marked police van minutes before the fatal crash that prompted a riot hours later.
Their families have now paid tribute to the boys, saying they were “loved by not only their families but by their community as well”.
‘Our hearts are truly broken’: Families of boys killed in Cardiff crash pay tribute
What happened in Cardiff on Monday night?
Thursday 25 May 2023 08:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A crash that killed two teenagers appears to have “sparked” the rioting seen in Cardiff on Monday evening, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has said.
Police faced what they called “large scale disorder” after receiving reports of a collision on Snowden Road in Ely around 6pm on Monday, with tensions reaching breaking point as cars were set on fire and fireworks were shot at officers.
What happened in Cardiff on Monday night?
Ely riots: A timeline of events
Thursday 25 May 2023 08:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The deaths of two teenagers in a road accident minutes after they had been involved in a pursuit with police sparked rioting in the Ely area of Cardiff.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in the incident on Monday evening while riding an electric bike.
Here is a timeline of events:
Ely riots: A timeline of events
Witness describes seeing police pursuit of teenage boys
Thursday 25 May 2023 09:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A witness has described seeing a police van following two teenagers on an electric bike minutes before they were killed in a collision.
The resident said she was walking to her local shops on Monday evening when she saw two boys riding a bike along Stanway Road in Ely, Cardiff, followed “seconds later” by the van.
She claimed she saw the van on the other side of the road as it passed her.
“They were on the other side of the road, and they took it wide,” the woman, who only wished to be called Leanne, said.
“It was faster than they normally go round here. If you’re coming round that corner – no lights and no sirens – how do I know you’re there?”
Witness describes seeing police pursuit of teenage boys
First minister to urge authorities to examine cause of violence
Thursday 25 May 2023 09:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford said he was looking to hold a meeting with public authorities to see whether more could be done in the community of Ely following the disorder.
He said on Wednesday: “13,000 people live in Ely. It is larger than almost any Welsh town, so it’s an area which has a huge mix of people in it and what we saw on Monday in no way at all represents the bulk of people who live in that part of Cardiff.
“The events themselves, as we know, will be investigated by police.
“I hope myself to convene a meeting on Friday of main public authorities to look at not what happened on Monday night but the background of precipitating causes to see just what more we can do to give confidence to people on the estate, that the police have the resources they need to respond effectively and promptly to incidents that happen, and whether there is more that can be done to help young people growing up in that area.”
In pictures: Flowers and tributes left for two boys killed in car crash in Ely
Thursday 25 May 2023 10:03 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Flowers and tributes left for the two teenagers in Ely, Cardiff, whose death in a car crash sparked a riot on Monday night.
Police say timeline shows vehicle was in Grand Avenue
Thursday 25 May 2023 10:33 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
This is the timeline of events given by Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon:
“At 17.59.40 CCTV shows the bike travelling towards the police vehicle in Frank Road, the bike then turns around.
“18.00.52 the bike is then followed by the police vehicle. You can already see on CCTV images that there were no blue lights or sirens in use.
“18.01.18 police vehicle is at New Church Ely roundabout and travels through Archer Road, Stanway Road and Howell Road.
“18.02.31 police vehicle turns onto Grand Avenue.
“18.02.18-18.02.41 this is the approximate time of the road traffic collision that took place on Snowden Road. At the time of the collision, the police vehicle is in Grand Avenue, half a mile away from Snowden Road.”
She said: “This is a complex investigation and we had to be sure of the facts before confirming them. We have been busy obtaining witness accounts, analysing tracking data from police vehicles and studying CCTV, and this is what we know now.”
ICYMI: Mother of one of boys whose deaths sparked riot in Cardiff begged yobs to stop
Thursday 25 May 2023 11:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
In case you missed it...
The mother of one of the teenagers whose deaths in a road accident sparked a riot begged the yobs to stop their violence – as her son’s body lay in the street where he died.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and 15-year-old Harvey Evans were killed in the Ely area of Cardiff while riding an electric bike.
Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the scene in Snowden Road shortly after 6pm on Monday.
Mother of one of boys whose deaths sparked riot in Cardiff begged yobs to stop
Police watchdog appeals for Ely community to co-operate with investigation
Thursday 25 May 2023 12:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The police watchdog has appealed for the community in Ely, Cardiff, to co-operate with its investigation into police contact with Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, before Monday’s fatal crash.
In a statement given on Wednesday,, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director for Wales David Ford said: “This was a tragic incident in which two boys lost their lives. We would like to once again express our sympathies to their families and friends, as well as all those affected by their deaths.
“We are not the police and our investigations are independent of the police. Our role is now to speak to members of the community and gather evidence, including CCTV and witness statements, to understand the circumstances leading up to the collision.
“This incident has had a profound impact on the local community and it is vitally important that the facts are established through a thorough and impartial investigation.
“Our investigative and community engagement work in the local area will continue for some time to come. Further updates will be provided as our investigation progresses.
“Upon conclusion of the investigation we will determine whether there is any indication that anyone serving with the police may have breached the standards of professional behaviour.”
How a tragic crash that killed two teens sparked a night of violence
Thursday 25 May 2023 13:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A crash that killed two teenagers appears to have “sparked” the rioting seen in Cardiff on Monday evening, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has said.
Police faced what they called “large scale disorder” after receiving reports of a collision on Snowden Road in Ely around 6pm on Monday, with tensions reaching breaking point as cars were set on fire and fireworks were shot at officers.
Alun Michael told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday morning: “My understanding is that there was a road traffic accident involving two teenagers on an off-road bike or scooter and sadly, they died. That’s an incident obviously that is being investigated in its own right.”
‘Our hearts are truly broken’: Families of ‘best friends’ killed in Cardiff crash pay tribute
Thursday 25 May 2023 13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The families of two teenage best friends killed in a crash in Cardiff that sparked riots have paid tribute, saying their “hearts are truly broken” as they pleaded for “peace within the community”.
Harvey Evans, 15, died alongside Kyrees Sullivan, 16, after the crash in the Ely area on Monday evening.
Video footage on social media appears to show the two boys on an electric bike being followed by a marked police van minutes before the fatal crash that prompted a riot hours later.
Their families have now paid tribute to the boys, saying they were “loved by not only their families but by their community as well”.
‘Our hearts are truly broken’: Families of boys killed in Cardiff crash pay tribute
Family of Kyreen pay heartbreaking tribute
Thursday 25 May 2023 14:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The family of Kyrees said both he and Harvey were “best friends since they were young and went everywhere together”.
Their statement said: “Kyrees was a loving, caring handsome young man, a loving son to Belinda and Craig, little brother to Aleah and Jordan and a special uncle KyKy to Myra.
“He was loved so much by his grandparents and aunties and uncles and his many cousins.
“Him and Harvey along with Niall were best friends since they were young and went everywhere together, they both had so many friends and were very well liked doing many things together, having fun & laughs.
“They were loved by not only their families but by their community as well. Belinda, Craig & families would like to thank everyone for all their kind words, flowers, and messages since they lost their son.”
Family of teenager killed in Cardiff crash appeal for peace after rioting
Thursday 25 May 2023 14:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The family of one of two teenagers whose deaths in a road collision sparked rioting over claims they were being pursued by police have pleaded for “peace within the community”.
Harvey Evans, 15, died alongside his best friend Kyrees Sullivan, 16, when the electric bike they were riding crashed in the Ely area of Cardiff on Monday evening.
Video footage on social media appears to show the two boys being followed by a marked police van minutes before the fatal crash.
In a statement released by South Wales Police, Harvey’s family said: “We ask for peace within the community and request that people leave the investigation to the police so we can get the answers we so desperately need to lay Harvey to rest.”
Family of teenager killed in Cardiff crash appeal for peace after rioting
Nine people arrested over Cardiff riots, police say
Thursday 25 May 2023 15:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A total of nine people have been arrested over the serious disorder in the Ely area of Cardiff on Monday, including five who were detained early this morning, South Wales Police said.
Seven teenagers among nine arrested over riots which followed fatal crash, say police
Thursday 25 May 2023 16:15 , Andy Gregory
A total of nine people have been arrested so far over the riots which followed a road crash which killed two teenage boys in Cardiff, South Wales Police has said.
Three boys – all aged 16 – and a 15-year-old girl were arrested on the night and day after the disorder, and are all on police bail pending further enquiries, the force said.
A further five – aged 16, 17, 18 , 21 and 29 – were detained early on Thursday morning and are being held in custody on suspicion of riot, police said.
Ely residents ‘scared in their own homes’ during riots, say police
Thursday 25 May 2023 17:07 , Andy Gregory
People were “scared in their own homes” on the night of the riots in Ely, South Wales Police has said.
“During the incident several vehicles were set alight, property was damaged, police officers were injured, and people were scared in their own homes,” the force’s latest statement said.
“More arrests are expected as we continue to identify those involved.”
Police ‘reviewing hundreds of hours' of CCTV and social media footage
Thursday 25 May 2023 17:43 , Andy Gregory
South Wales Police has so far recovered 180 pieces of body-worn footage from police officers at the scene, according to the force.
Officers are also going through hundreds of hours of public CCTV and videos posted on social media, it said.
The force appealed for witnesses to come forward with information, mobile phone footage, CCTV or social media posts that might help inquiries.
Voices | I’m a criminologist – this is why the Cardiff riots blew up
Thursday 25 May 2023 18:26 , Andy Gregory
In this piece for Independent Voices, Cardiff University criminologist Matthew Williams writes:
In the aftermath of the riots in Ely, Cardiff this week, some social commentators took to Twitter to point the finger at a range of societal ills that they felt played their part in the build-up to the collective violence.
Claims of “deprivation”, “distrust” in authorities and “disillusionment” with the future rang out across social media. Counterarguments pointed at the role of the police, with rumours circulating online alongside CCTV footage, that suggested a pursuit of two young local boys just before their tragic deaths.
As a criminologist, it is my job to understand the causes and consequences of criminal behaviour. I spend much of my time speaking to perpetrators about their lives and what they think lies behind the worst of their behaviours.
Most recently, I have been preoccupied with the motivations of people who violently attack others because of their difference, widely known as hate crime perpetrators. What I have learnt from speaking with these people is also useful for understanding what happened in Ely this week.
You can read his thinking in full here:
I’m a criminologist – this is why the Cardiff riots blew up | Matthew Williams
Thursday 25 May 2023 19:00 , Katy Clifton
We are pausing our live updates for the evening, you can find more of our Cardiff coverage here.
Police look to define ‘pursuit’ after CCTV shows van before crash
Friday 26 May 2023 14:52 , Martha Mchardy
The police watchdog is investigating whether actions taken by officers involved in a road crash which killed two teenage boys in Cardiff could be defined as a “pursuit”.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was investigating four key questions about the actions of South Wales Police, including “whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit.”
The watchdog is also investigating the “appropriateness” of the police’s interaction with 16-year-old Kyrees Sullivan and 15-year-old Harvey Evans prior to the collision that killed them, and whether the interaction was “appropriately reported” by officers.
The IOPC investigation will also look at if the actions of South Wales Police were “in line with legislation, local and national policies and procedures.”
It comes as CCTV footage released on social media appeared to show a police van following an electric bike on Frank Road in Ely minutes before the crash.
South Wales Police said it would review the footage but that there were no police vehicles on the road of the crash when it took place.
IOPC release statement as witnesses asked to come forward
Friday 26 May 2023 14:58 , Martha Mchardy
In a statement released on Friday, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director David Ford said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Kyrees and Harvey, as well as all those affected by the loss of two young lives in such a close-knit community as Ely.
“Our investigators have been conducting inquiries and securing evidence in the immediate vicinity of where the events took place, speaking to local residents, distributing leaflets and gathering as much relevant information as possible.
“I am truly grateful for the co-operation and assistance we have received from people within the local community. We would welcome anyone we haven’t yet spoken to yet, who believes they have footage or witnessed anything relevant between 5.35pm and 6.10pm on Monday, to come forward to us.
“We are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of what took place in the period leading up to the collision. I would like to reassure everyone in the community that our work will be thorough, impartial and independent of the police.”
Ely community meeting begins with ‘moment of reflection’ after boys’ deaths
Friday 26 May 2023 15:29 , Martha Mchardy
A meeting between public officials and community representatives after the deaths of two best friends in Cardiff sparked a riot has begun with a “moment of reflection” for the teenagers.
Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, is chairing the meeting between local politicians, agencies, and community groups, including Ace (Action in Caerau and Ely).
He is being joined by Welsh Government Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt, as well as Kevin Brennan MP, who represents the Ely area, South Wales police and crime commissioner Alun Michael, ward councillor Russell Goodway, council leader Huw Thomas and council chief executive Paul Orders.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The meeting started with everyone marking a moment of reflection for the family and friends of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans.”
On Friday evening a vigil and balloon release has been planned to pay tribute to the boys.
In a Facebook post, a friend of the families said: “We know tensions are still high right now. But we ask if for the balloon release people can keep their anger inside.
“The mums asked if no Sur-Rons can be seen around out of respect and let us all come together for the love and life that they had here with us.”
Read the full story:
Ely community meeting begins with ‘moment of reflection’ after boys’ deaths
The 4 key things the IOPC are investigating after Ely crash kills two teenagers
Friday 26 May 2023 15:58 , Martha Mchardy
In an update on its investigation into what led up to Monday’s fatal crash, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was investigating:
- The nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of the police officers’ decisions and actions
- Whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit
- Whether the interaction between the police officers and the boys was reported appropriately by the officers prior to and following the collision
- Whether the actions and decisions of South Wales Police over the interaction were in line with legislation, local and national policies and procedures.
Voices: I’m a criminologist – this is why the Cardiff riots blew up
Friday 26 May 2023 17:00 , Martha Mchardy
Criminologist Matthew Williams explains the potential factors underlying the recent Ely riots.
I’m a criminologist – this is why the Cardiff riots blew up | Matthew Williams
Vigil for two teenagers killed to take place on Friday evening
Friday 26 May 2023 17:05 , Martha Mchardy
A vigil and balloon release will take place on Friday evening to pay tribute to 16-year-old Kyrees Sullivan and 15-year-old Harvey Evans who died in a crash in Ely.
First minister Mark Drakeford pays tribute
Friday 26 May 2023 17:07 , Martha Mchardy
First minister Mark Drakeford said: “This week, two families are grieving for their sons and the people of Ely have experienced a collective trauma.
“My thoughts are with the families and friends of Harvey and Kyrees.
“Representatives of the local community and public agencies, including Action in Caerau and Ely, the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council today met in Ely.
“We have agreed to jointly sponsor a grassroots-led initiative to create a community plan for Ely, to respond to the long-term needs of residents. It will be focused on actions and outcomes for people in Ely.”
Watch: Police chief confirms police van following teenagers first on scene after fatal crash
Friday 26 May 2023 18:00 , Martha Mchardy
One Thousand people gather at vigil for two teenagers killed in Ely crash
Friday 26 May 2023 18:27 , Martha Mchardy
Around a thousand people have gathered for a vigil at the spot where Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in a road crash in Ely, Cardiff.
Many mourners are holding blue balloons and wearing white T-shirts adorned with pictures of the two boys, who died when their Sur-Ron electric bike crashed.
The mothers of the teenagers have asked that there be no people on Sur-Ron bikes at this evening’s vigil in Snowden Road.
The families have also requested the police are not present.
Dozens of blue and orange flares have been lit as the families of Harvey and Kyrees arrive on foot at the scene where hundreds of floral tributes and messages have been left since Monday.
Hundreds of blue balloons have also filled the sky in tribute to the teenagers and some fireworks have been set off.
Several people were in tears as the balloons were released and a moment of silence was held before the crowd broke out in applause.
In pictures: Vigil held for two teenagers killed in Ely crash
Friday 26 May 2023 18:28 , Martha Mchardy
Explained: How a tragic crash that killed two teens sparked a night of violence
Friday 26 May 2023 19:00 , Martha Mchardy
A crash that killed two teenagers appears to have “sparked” the rioting seen in Cardiff on Monday evening, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has said.
Police faced what they called “large scale disorder” after receiving reports of a collision on Snowden Road in Ely around 6pm on Monday, with tensions reaching breaking point as cars were set on fire and fireworks were shot at officers.
Alun Michael told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday morning: “My understanding is that there was a road traffic accident involving two teenagers on an off-road bike or scooter and sadly, they died. That’s an incident obviously that is being investigated in its own right.
Tara Cobham reports:
Uncle of Harvey Evans speaks out at vigil
Friday 26 May 2023 19:54 , Martha Mchardy
The uncle of Harvey Evans, 15, who died after a crash in Ely, said: “We’re all tarred with the same brush here, especially given what happened on Monday.
“But this is the true Ely. Look how many people have turned out to pay their respects.
“The only difference between Monday and today is that the police aren’t here.”
Friday 26 May 2023 19:55 , Martha Mchardy
John O’Driscoll, Harvey Evans’s great-uncle, said: “What happened on Monday with the riot, that was wrong.
“The boys were wrong, but it was out of frustration.
“It was because a lot of the boys get abused by the police around here and so that’s why things kicked off,” Mr O’Driscoll said.
“Harvey was my great nephew, we have a big family and we’re all close.
“They were just young boys. Everyone rides bikes and scooters around here.
“Yes we find them annoying but that’s just what they do, but as soon as those coppers saw they had no helmets they should’ve stopped.”
In pictures: Floral tributes left to teenagers killed in Ely crash
Friday 26 May 2023 20:00 , Martha Mchardy
Police release timeline of how minutes before fatal Cardiff crash unfolded
Friday 26 May 2023 21:00 , Martha Mchardy
The timeline released by South Wales Police said:
5.59pm: CCTV shows the bike travelling towards the police vehicle in Frank Road, the bike then turns around
6pm: The bike is followed by the police vehicle. Police highlight CCTV images show that there were no blue lights or sirens in use.
6.01pm: Police vehicle is at New Church Ely roundabout and travels through Archer Road, Stanway Road and Howell Road.
6.02.31pm: Police vehicle turns onto Grand Avenue.
6.02.18pm -6.02.41pm: The approximate time of the fatal crash that took place on Snowden Road. At the time of the crash, the police vehicle is in Grand Avenue, half a mile away from Snowden Road, police said.
Joe Middleton reports:
Police release timeline of how minutes before fatal Cardiff crash unfolded
ICYMI: Police watchdog appeals for witnesses to Ely crash
Friday 26 May 2023 22:00 , Martha Mchardy
A police watchdog has appealed for witnesses who saw the moments before two teenagers were killed in road accident.
In a statement released on Friday, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director David Ford said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Kyrees and Harvey, as well as all those affected by the loss of two young lives in such a close-knit community as Ely.
“Our investigators have been conducting inquiries and securing evidence in the immediate vicinity of where the events took place, speaking to local residents, distributing leaflets and gathering as much relevant information as possible.
“I am truly grateful for the co-operation and assistance we have received from people within the local community. We would welcome anyone we haven’t yet spoken to yet, who believes they have footage or witnessed anything relevant between 5.35pm and 6.10pm on Monday, to come forward to us.
“We are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of what took place in the period leading up to the collision. I would like to reassure everyone in the community that our work will be thorough, impartial and independent of the police.”
Great uncle of teenager killed in Cardiff crash hits out at police as vigil held
Friday 26 May 2023 22:03 , Martha Mchardy
The great-uncle of a 15-year-old killed in a crash in Cardiff has criticised South Wales Police as a vigil was held at the spot where the boy and his best friend died.
Harvey Evans was killed alongside Kyrees Sullivan, 16, when their Sur-Ron electric bike crashed in the Ely area of the city on Monday evening.
John O’Driscoll, Harvey Evans’s great-uncle, said the police “should have stopped” when they saw the two teenage boys were not wearing helmets, as he attended the vigil on Friday evening.
Martha McHardy reports:
Great uncle of teenager killed in Cardiff crash hits out at police as vigil held
Families of ‘best friends’ killed in Cardiff crash pay tribute
Friday 26 May 2023 23:00 , Martha Mchardy
The families of two teenage best friends killed in a crash in Cardiff that sparked riots have paid tribute, saying their “hearts are truly broken” as they pleaded for “peace within the community”.
Harvey Evans, 15, died alongside Kyrees Sullivan, 16, after the crash in the Ely area on Monday evening.
Their families have now paid tribute to the boys, saying they were “loved by not only their families but by their community as well”.
Harvey’s family said their hearts were “truly broken” over the loss of the “much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, friend and boyfriend”.
The statement added: “He lived life to the full, he had a big heart and deep down he truly cared. He was a best friend to Kyrees and our thoughts and prayers are with his family also.
“We ask for peace within the community and request that people leave the investigation to the police so we can get the answers we so desperately need to lay Harvey to rest.
“As Harvey’s mum, I want to remember our son as the fun and loving son that he was, and not as the media are portraying him now.”
Tara Cobham and Joe Middleton report:
‘Our hearts are truly broken’: Families of boys killed in Cardiff crash pay tribute
ICYMI: The 4 key things the IOPC are investigating after Ely crash kills two teenagers
Saturday 27 May 2023 00:00 , Martha Mchardy
In an update on its investigation into what led up to Monday’s fatal crash, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was investigating:
- The nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of the police officers’ decisions and actions
- Whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit
- Whether the interaction between the police officers and the boys was reported appropriately by the officers prior to and following the collision
- Whether the actions and decisions of South Wales Police over the interaction were in line with legislation, local and national policies and procedures.
Great uncle of teenager killed hits out at police
08:10 , Tara Cobham
John O’Driscoll, 15-year-old Harvey Evans’s great-uncle, said the police “should have stopped” when they saw the two teenage boys were not wearing helmets, as he was among the one thousand people attending the vigil on Friday evening for Harvey and his best friend Kyrees Sullivan, 16.
“What happened on Monday with the riot, that was wrong,” he said, referring to violent scenes that took place in the hours after the teenagers were killed in the crash. “The boys were wrong, but it was out of frustration. It was because a lot of the boys get abused by the police around here and so that’s why things kicked off.
“Harvey was my great nephew, we have a big family and we’re all close. They were just young boys. Everyone rides bikes and scooters around here.”
“Yes we find them annoying but that’s just what they do, but as soon as those coppers saw they had no helmets they should’ve stopped,” he added.
Vigil in pictures
08:22 , Tara Cobham
Around a thousand people attended the Friday evening vigil. Many of those gathered held blue balloons and wore white T-shirts adorned with pictures of the boys. Dozens of blue and orange flares were also lit and fireworks were set off.
Some in the crowd were in tears as the balloons were released into the sky and a moment of silence was held before the crowd broke out in applause. The family requested that no people on Sur-Ron bikes and no police attend the vigil.
Bike was birthday present to young victim
09:47 , Tara Cobham
Family members of two boys killed in Cardiff while riding an electric bike have said it was an early birthday present to the younger of the victims - an occasion he will never get to celebrate.
Following a community vigil for Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, in Ely on Friday night, the younger boy’s aunt and grandmother said next month should have seen his 16th birthday.
Speaking for the first time since the fatal crash on Monday evening, Harvey’s aunt Hayley Murphy and grandmother Dawn Rees told the BBC Harvey had loved e-bikes and scooters and “did everything” with his pal Kyrees.
“They loved each other like brothers,” Ms Rees said.
Ms Murphy also voiced her lack of faith and trust in the police - sentiments which were echoed by other family members at the 1,500-strong vigil earlier that night.
Mother ‘begged police for hours to know if boys were alive'
10:16 , Tara Cobham
Speaking for the first time since the fatal crash on Monday evening, Harvey’s aunt Hayley Murphy and grandmother Dawn Rees told the BBC the boy’s mother had stood at the police barrier for more than two hours begging to know if her son and his friend were still alive.
Ms Murphy said: “We were stood at the barrier and we were begging them, begging them, to tell us if they were alive or dead, and they wouldn’t tell us nothing – and then someone ran into the crowd and said ‘I’ve got a video of the police chasing them’, and that is what started it.
“That’s what got everyone angry, so I understand because we wasn’t getting no answers.”
The rioting saw nine people arrested and left 15 police officers injured.
The claims of a pursuit were denied by Alun Michael, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, but the force has since confirmed a van was following Kyrees and Harvey.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the circumstances.
Victim’s uncle speaks of huge turnout at vigil
10:57 , Tara Cobham
Another of Harvey’s uncles spoke at the vigil of the huge turnout for his nephew and the 15-year-old’s best friend Kyrees on Friday night.
He said: “We’re all tarred with the same brush here, especially given what happened on Monday.
“But this is the true Ely. Look how many people have turned out to pay their respects.
“The only difference between Monday and today is that the police aren’t here.”
It was understood the police had been asked not to attend.
Many of those gathered held blue balloons and wore white T-shirts adorned with pictures of Kyrees and Harvey, while others stood silently in tears.
A moment of silence was held before the crowd broke out in applause.
Since Monday, hundreds of floral tributes and messages have been left at the scene of the accident in Snowden Road.
IOPC has appealed for witnesses
12:03 , Tara Cobham
Earlier, the IOPC appealed for witnesses who may have seen the moments before the crash.
It said the investigation was examining the “nature of the police interaction” with Kyrees and Harvey and the “appropriateness” of the officers’ decisions and actions.
The watchdog is also considering whether the police officers’ actions in the van constituted a pursuit, and whether the interaction between the officers and the boys was “reported appropriately by the officers prior to and following the collision”.
IOPC director David Ford: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Kyrees and Harvey, as well as all those affected by the loss of two young lives in such a close-knit community as Ely.
“Our investigators have been conducting inquiries and securing evidence in the immediate vicinity of where the events took place, speaking to local residents, distributing leaflets and gathering as much relevant information as possible.
“I am truly grateful for the co-operation and assistance we have received from people within the local community.
“We are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of what took place in the period leading up to the collision. I would like to reassure everyone in the community that our work will be thorough, impartial, and independent of the police.”
Politicians and community leaders have met to discuss tragedy
12:32 , Tara Cobham
Politicians and community leaders met to discuss the aftermath of Monday’s tragedy.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “This week, two families are grieving for their sons and the people of Ely have experienced a collective trauma.
“My thoughts are with the families and friends of Harvey and Kyrees.
“Representatives of the local community and public agencies, including Action in Caerau and Ely, the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council today met in Ely.
“We have agreed to jointly sponsor a grassroots-led initiative to create a community plan for Ely, to respond to the long-term needs of residents. It will be focused on actions and outcomes for people in Ely.”
Harvey and Kyrees ‘loved each other like brothers’, says grandmother
12:59 , Tara Cobham
Remembering Harvey, his aunt Hayley Murphy and grandmother Dawn Rees told the BBC he loved e-bikes and scooters and “did everything” with his pal Kyrees.
“They loved each other like brothers,” Ms Rees said.
ICYMI: Police timeline of minutes before crash
14:44 , Tara Cobham
A timeline revealing how the minutes unfolded before the Cardiff car crash that left the two teenagers dead was revealed by police.
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, South Wales Police’s deputy chief constable Rachel Bacon said the force was aware of “concerns in the local community” around the timeline of events, so laid out what the force knows so far.
Joe Middleton reports: Police release timeline of how minutes before fatal Cardiff crash unfolded
Photos show hundreds of tributes left at scene of crash
15:38 , Tara Cobham
Hundreds of floral tributes and messages have been left at the scene of the accident in Ely, Cardiff since Monday.
On Friday evening over 1,500 people gathered at the spot where the teenagers were killed to pay tribute to them. Many held blue balloons and wore white T-shirts adorned with pictures of Kyrees and Harvey, while others stood silently in tears. A moment of silence was held before the crowd broke out in applause.
Check our website for updates as live coverage ends
15:46 , Tara Cobham
We are ending our live coverage of the crash in Cardiff that killed the two boys and the subsequent riots, but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.
