Two Boys Killed in Cardiff Crash Before Riots Erupt And Police Attacked

A car that was set alight following the riot in Ely, Cardiff, Wales, on May 23, 2023. PA Media

“Large-scale disorder” broke out overnight in Cardiff following a crash in which two teenage boys were killed, police said on Tuesday.

Several vehicles were set alight, property was damaged, and police officers were injured as a result of the violence.

Police say the riot appeared to have been caused by rumours that the deaths were caused by a police chase.

A car was set alight during a riot on Highmead Road, Ely, Cardiff, on May 23, 2023. Bronwen Weatherby/PA Media

Scenes being livestreamed on YouTube showed young people throwing fireworks and other missiles at a line of police officers with riot shields who were blocking one end of the street.

Shortly before midnight, a car was set on fire, while a second vehicle was overturned and also torched.

One person was attacked because rioters thought they were an undercover officer, according to a senior officer at the scene.

Police, including mounted officers on horseback, were seen outside Ely police station in the early hours of Tuesday after suggestions it could be targeted.

‘Totally Unacceptable’

South Wales Police said officers were called to a report of a serious road collision in Snowden Road, Ely, shortly after 6 p.m. on Monday.

The force said two teenage boys died in the crash and the collision had already occurred when officers arrived.

Police then remained on the scene to “manage a large-scale disorder” into the early hours of the morning.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Travis said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with families of the two boys who have died following the collision in Ely and with those affected by the disorder which followed.

“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.”

Rumours of Police Chase

Alun Michael, police and crime commissioner for South Wales, said the riot seems to have been sparked by rumours of a police chase.

He told BBC Radio 4’s “Today” programme, “My understanding is that there was a road traffic accident involving two teenagers on an off-road bike or scooter and sadly they died.”

“And that appears to have sparked, for reasons that aren’t clear, the disorder that you’ve referred to 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.”

He added: “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 on social media nowadays, and that events can get out of hand.”

Michael said people will be “brought to account” for the violence.

Call for Calm

Downing Street said the scenes in Cardiff were “appalling and completely unacceptable.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The reports of disorder, violence, arson, and specifically attacks on police officers are appalling and unacceptable. We remain grateful to the emergency services and first responders for all their support to the community and restoring order.”

Cardiff Council leader Huw Thomas called for calm.

He said: “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.”

PA Media contributed to this report.