Cars burned in Cardiff as UK police deal with ‘large-scale disorder’ after road crash

Several dozen youths pelted police with objects and torched cars and rubbish bins in Cardiff during local unrest that erupted after two teenagers were killed in a road crash, officials said on Tuesday.

Police said a “large-scale disorder” had broken out after officers were called to the scene of an accident in the Welsh capital’s Ely district on Monday night.

“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the families of the two boys who died following the collision in Ely and those affected by the ensuing unrest,” said Deputy Chief Constable Mark Travis of South Wales Police. .

“These are scenes we don’t expect to see in our communities, especially a tight-knit community like Ely.”

Scenes streamed live on YouTube showed dozens of people, many wearing balaclavas or ski masks, moving about while others threw objects and fired fireworks at a line of police with anti-shock shields. – riot blocking one end of the street.

A fire was burning and a helicopter could be heard hovering overhead. Shortly before midnight, a car was set on fire and badly burned, while a second vehicle was overturned and set on fire.

The chaos continued into the early hours of Tuesday and at one point officers were stationed outside Ely Police Station after suggestions he might be targeted.

Police said officers made arrests, but did not say how many.

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael said a dozen officers were injured. None were in life-threatening condition.

Michael told the BBC the violence began after a fatal crash involving “two teenagers on a dirt bike or scooter”. He said false rumors had swept the area that the accident followed a police chase.

Police said the accident “had already happened when officers arrived”.

Resident John Urquhart said tensions rose in the area when police failed to inform locals of what had happened.

“There was no attempt to communicate with the crowd and they showed nothing but contempt for the community and acted like we didn’t deserve to know what happened at our doorstep.” he declared.

“There was nobody in the crowd. Above all, I think the police really needed people to talk to the community and reassure themselves.