How the deaths of two best friends sparked a riot

A car set on fire during the Ely riots of May 2023

It has been one year since the deaths of two teenage boys sparked a riot in Ely, Cardiff.

The disorder continued until the early hours, leaving 15 officers injured, property damaged and cars torched.

What caused it was subject to much speculation - particularly on social media, where rumours spread rapidly that the boys were being followed by police before the crash.

South Wales Police later said that its officers had been following the boys in the minutes before, and the force referred itself to the police watchdog.

What caused the Ely riot?

Best friends Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were riding an electric bike when they fatally crashed on Snowden Road, shortly after 18:00 BST on 22 May 2023.

Claims that they were being followed by a marked police van in the minutes before they died began to spread quickly on social media.

One person on social media wrote: "The FACT is that they were being chased by the police."

Disorder quickly erupted as crowds of about 100 to 150 people gathered at the scene of the boys' deaths.

Riot police in Ely, Cardiff, during the events of 22 May and 23 May

By about 20:20, police tweeted they were trying to de-escalate the situation - but several hours of rioting followed.

Scenes livestreamed on YouTube showed fireworks and other missiles being hurled at police.

Shortly before midnight, a car was set on fire while another was overturned and torched.

A car set ablaze during the disorder in Ely, Cardiff, in May 2023

Soon afterwards, Belinda Sullivan, the mother of Kyrees, posted on Facebook to appeal for calm, adding that her son’s body was still on the side of the road.

Between 03:00 and 03:30 on 23 May, the rioters were dispersed.

Were Kyrees and Harvey being followed by police?

The former South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Alun Michael, initially insisted that the two teenagers were not being followed by police before they died.

But CCTV footage analysed by BBC Verify later showed police were following the boys just minutes before the crash.

South Wales Police then confirmed its officers had been following the teenagers prior to their deaths.

The force referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).

What happened after the Ely riot?

Residents, community leaders and politicians expressed their horror at what had unfolded.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said the events were "appalling and completely unacceptable", while the former first minister Mark Drakeford said he was "very concerned".

Ely resident Ahmad Abdullah, a taxi driver, told the BBC that he had been in his living room when he heard "screaming and shouting" as the disorder unfolded.

"Now the people in this community don't feel safe," Mr Abdullah said the next morning.

The remains of a burnt out and overturned car in the wake of the Ely riot

In the days that followed, hundreds of floral tributes and messages were left on Snowden Road, where Harvey and Kyrees died.

More than 1,000 people gathered to release balloons, fireworks and flares at a vigil in memory of the boys.

A moment of silence was held before the crowd broke into applause.

Speaking at the vigil, one of Harvey’s uncles 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."

More than 1,000 gathered to release balloons in memory of Harvey and Kyrees in the days after their deaths

How did Kyrees and Harvey die?

An inquest opening into the deaths of Harvey and Kyrees last June found the provisional cause of death for Kyrees was "blunt injury to the head," while Harvey died as a result of "blunt injury to the head and trunk".

They were found by a member of the public shortly after, having come off the bike they were riding, the coroner was told.

The coroner said their deaths were "violent or unnatural", but the full inquest was adjourned for the ongoing police investigation to be concluded.

Were any of the Ely rioters arrested?

There have been 35 arrests in connection with the disorder, but no charges, with inquiries still ongoing, according to the IOPC.

The IOPC said it was investigating the police's response and management of the crash scene, its treatment of the families at the crash site and its communication with the families following the two deaths.

The IOPC previously said the driver of the police van, an officer with South Wales Police, was being criminally investigated for dangerous driving after previously being served with a gross misconduct notice.

Another officer, a passenger in the police van, was also served with a gross misconduct notice.

Earlier this month, the IOPC said its investigation was in "its final stages".