Cardiff bike crash – latest: Family of teen killed reveal what started riot after ‘police chase’
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in an electric bike crash in Ely on Monday, sparking a night of riots in Cardiff
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.”
Voices | I’m a criminologist – this is why the Cardiff riots blew up
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
I spend much of my time speaking to perpetrators about their lives and what they think lies behind the worst of their behaviours
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
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
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
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
Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, is chairing the meeting between local politicians, agencies, and community groups.
The 4 key things the IOPC are investigating after Ely crash kills two teenagers
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
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
I spend much of my time speaking to perpetrators about their lives and what they think lies behind the worst of their behaviours
Vigil for two teenagers killed to take place on Friday evening
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
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.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments