Police vehicle was half a mile from Ely crash scene, say police

1. Cardiff police have set out a timeline of events leading up to the deaths of two teenagers in a crash on Monday which led to riots in the Ely area
2. Best friends Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in the crash on Snowden Road - police say no other vehicle was involved
3. CCTV has captured a police van following the pair, but it would appear bollards at the end of one street meant the police couldn't follow further
4. Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said the police vehicle was half a mile away when the crash took place
5. The police have previously insisted that the two teenagers were not being chased by police when they were killed
6. Police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), is to independently investigate the incident

We're closing our live coverage

We'll soon be pausing our live coverage. We were following the police press conference, with Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, on the deaths of two teenagers in Ely, Cardiff on Monday, and the riots that followed.

• Bacon told reporters that a timeline established by the force after hours of investigating CCTV footage confirmed a police vehicle was not at the site of the crash – Snowden Road – at the time it happened
• She also said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating whether the police were pursing the teenagers prior to the crash
• Meanwhile, Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said he feels "profound sorrow" for the teenagers killed in the incident. He said the riots that followed caused "reputational damage" to the community
• Drakeford added that the police have questions to answer and that an independent investigation will allow people to make a "rounded judgement" about the way the force responded to events

Our coverage was written by Malu Cursino, Aoife Walsh and Luke Mintz. It was edited by Nathan Williams and Alys Davies. Thank you for joining us.

If you'd like to read more about today's developments, you can find our news story here.

And here you can read more about the teenagers who died.

Thanks for following our coverage.

WATCH: BBC challenges police on timeline of events

The BBC asks about a contradiction in the police's timeline of events

At the news conference, the BBC's Tomos Morgan asked Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon about an apparent contradiction in the police's timeline of events.

Bacon said she had given "factual and accurate" information "to the best" of her knowledge at that moment in time.

'We've more CCTV to view," she added.

Bollards were in way of police

Tomos Morgan

BBC News

The police have said that in the minute or so before the crash took place they turned down into a main road and were half a mile away from the scene of the crash on Snowden Road.

The only reason why they didn't continue on the road towards where the crash took place is because there are bollards between Stanway Road and Snowden Road.

So, the police were on the main road and they are correct: they were not behind the boys, they weren't in the area where the crash took place.

But the only reason they weren't there is because they knew they couldn't follow the boys any further because the road was blocked.

This is a force under pressure. South Wales Police referred themselves to the IOPC yesterday and they did that after the BBC had put out new footage that showed the police were following the two boys before the incident took place.

WATCH: Police timeline of events leading up to fatal crash

South Wales Police give a timeline of events leading up to the fatal crash

Going back to the news conference that happened just a little earlier, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon gave a timeline of events based on its investigations so far.

"There was no police vehicle in Snowden Road at time of collision", said Bacon.

Police have questions to answer - Drakeford

Mark Drakeford says a "rounded judgement" can be made when investigations are complete.

More from Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford now. He says the police have questions to answer about Monday night's riot in Ely.

Drakeford, who represents the Ely area as Cardiff West's Member of the Senedd, says: “There are questions for the police to answer, we know.

“They have referred themselves to the independent investigation service.

"We must allow that to do its job and then I think we’ll have the full facts available and people will be able to make a rounded judgement about the way the police responded to the events on Monday evening.”

Asked if trust has broken down between the community and the police, he says: “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 crimes when they are committed or anti-social behaviour where that takes place."

I feel profound sorrow for Ely community - Welsh First Minister

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford says he feels "profound sorrow" for the two teens killed on Monday, as well as the wider people of Ely.

Speaking in his first broadcast interview since the incident, Drakeford says: "My main thought was one of just profound sorrow, profound sorrow for two young lives that have been lost, and their families and their friends."

He says he also feels sorrow for the wider community of Ely, "which is full of utterly decent, hardworking people".

He says the rioting that followed the two boys' deaths will cause "reputational damage" for the community that can take years to recover. He adds that he condemns the violence, "however frustrated people may be".

What's been happening?

A short while ago, we heard from Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon on the deaths of two teenagers in Ely, Cardiff on Monday, which later led to riots.

Here's the latest:

• Bacon addressed concerns around the timeline of events leading up to the crash and CCTV footage circulating of a police vehicle following a bike. She said the police looked through hundreds of hours of footage and believe the vehicle was half a mile away on Grand Avenue when the collision happened

• Bacon said nothing could excuse the violence that broke out on Monday and the force has made its investigation into the riots a "priority"
• The deputy chief constable said she wanted to address the community earlier, but the situation yesterday morning was still "very unclear"
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating if the police were following the two teenagers prior to the collision, Bacon confirmed

Stay with us as we bring you the latest developments.

Many questions remain for the community

Nelli Bird

At the press conference

There was a tense atmosphere in the hastily assembled press conference in the canteen at South Wales Police Headquarters in Bridgend. At times, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon looked straight at the cameras when answering questions, speaking directly to the community of Ely.

In the end, journalists were only allowed to ask a handful of questions with some batted away due to the upcoming Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

The aim of the press conference was to try to give more information and reassure people in Ely that the investigation was being handled well.

But there are clearly many questions remaining for the community - and for the families.

Does new footage contradict police timeline, asks BBC reporter

Getty Images

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon

A BBC reporter tells Bacon he has seen footage in the last half hour that appears to contradict the timeline of events she has just given.

Bacon responds by saying she has given the timeline to the best of her knowledge.

She repeats that the police force has looked through hundreds of hours of footage, with more yet to review. She says she is here to talk to the communities of Ely.

The reporter asks whether the incident has damaged the force's credibility.

Bacon says the force is dedicated to the people of Ely. It is a tragic outcome and the police force wants to understand why it happened, she says.

The press conference ends there.

Situation on Tuesday morning very unclear - Bacon

Next, Bacon is asked why she allowed rumours to circulate.

She says the situation yesterday morning was still "very unclear".

Bacon adds she wanted to speak to the community sooner, but she hasn't been able to because she didn't have enough information.

SW Police can't comment on whether they were following boys - Bacon

Bacon takes questions next. She is asked why the police were following the boys.

She says she wants to be as transparent as possible with the community in Ely.

The IOPC is looking into whether or not there was a pursuit and as things stand she cannot comment on this as she says she cannot comment any further until the independent investigation is complete.

The deputy chief constable adds: "I can't fully answer your question today, and for that I apologise."

Police looking through hundreds of hours of footage - Bacon

Getty Images

Bacon now turns to the violence in Ely on Monday evening.

"Nothing can excuse this," she says. People were scared in their homes, and property damaged. She says their "priority" is now to investigate the "appalling" scenes of violence.

She says they have recovered hundreds of hours of footage - from CCTV as well as social media.

Bacon appealed for more information, and says she is "extremely grateful" for the support of the community.

SW Police is aware of concerns around timeline of events - Bacon

Bacon says the force is aware of concerns around the timeline of events, including CCTV footage.

Bacon then gives the following timeline:

• 17:59:40: A bike travelled towards the police vehicle in Frank Road, the bike turns around
• 18:00:52: The bike is followed by the police vehicle. Neither blue lights nor sirens in use
• 18:01:18: Police vehicle at New Ely Church roundabout, 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 collision on Snowden Road. The police vehicle is in Grand Avenue, half a mile away from Snowden Road

She adds that the force believes no police vehicle was on Snowden Road at the time of the collision.

The force has made a referral to the IOPC (the Independent Office for Police Conduct), who will carry out an in independent investigation.

Thoughts are with boys' family and friends - Bacon

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon says families are being supported by liaison officers

Bacon says the force's thoughts are with the family and friends of Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan, and they will continue to stay in touch with them and support them.

She adds they can only begin to imagine the grief they are experiencing.

South Wales Police begin statement

South Wales Police's Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon has started addressing reporters with an update on the case looking into the death of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15.

Stay with us as we bring you live updates. And you can watch the news conference live by clicking the play button at the top of this page.

Teens killed were best friends

BBC

Kyrees (L) and Harvey were best friends, their families said

The families of both boys who died in the crash - which sparked a riot in Cardiff on Monday - have said the pair were best friends.

Harvey's family said he was "a best friend to Kyrees, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family also".

"He lived life to the full, he had a big heart and deep down he truly cared," Harvey's mum said.

Kyrees' family described him as "a loving, caring handsome young man".

The tribute from Kyrees' family added: "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 and laughs."

South Wales Police to make statement shortly

We'll soon be hearing from South Wales Police's Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon with an update on what happened in Ely.

Unlike yesterday's brief statement, this time the force is likely to take questions from reporters over its handling of the riots and what it knows about the deaths of the two teenagers, Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans.

Last night, the force referred itself to the police watchdog, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has since agreed to independently investigate the incident.

We'll bring you the latest as soon as we have it.

Good afternoon

Hello and welcome back to our live coverage, as we prepare to hear an update from South Wales Police following the death of two teenage boys in Ely, Cardiff, and subsequent riots in the area on Monday.

Here's what we know so far:

• Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in a crash on Snowden Road shortly after 18:00 BST on Monday
• Their deaths sparked a riot in Ely, which went on until the early hours on Tuesday. Cars were set alight, fireworks were thrown at police and 15 officers were injured
• CCTV footage appeared to show a police van following two people on a bike moments before the crash - something the force said it was investigating

• However, South Wales' police and crime commissioner Alun Michael has since said the two teenagers were not being chased by police when they were killed in the bike crash
• The force said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) "to ensure the matter receives independent scrutiny". The police watchdog has since announced it will independently investigate the incident

Pausing our live coverage

We're now pausing our live coverage of the fallout from the fatal crash and subsequent riots in Ely shortly; thanks for joining us.

If you'd like to read the full write-up of the day's events, click here.

Today's page was edited by John Arkless, Peter Shuttleworth and Ben Frampton, and the writers were Jared Evitts, Malu Cursino, Thomas Mackintosh, Lola Mayor, Marita Moloney, Luke Mintz, Adam Durbin, Gem O'Reilly and James McCarthy.

What do we know about the riots?

Cardiff riot: CCTV footage appears to show police following people minutes before crash

Let's take a look back at the events of the past 24 hours or so, after the deaths of two teenagers in the Ely area of Cardiff sparked riots:

• The community is in mourning after the death of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15

• Cars were set alight, fireworks aimed at police and residents say they felt unsafe in their own homes

• Shortly after midnight, Kyrees's mother pleaded with rioters to stop so her son could be taken to hospital
• Eleven police officers required hospital treatment, with 15 hurt
• This morning, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael told the Today programme rumours of a police chase were not true

.

• Earlier this afternoon, the BBC Verify team confirmed that a CCTV video appeared to show a police van following two people on either a moped or electric bike moments before the fatal crash on Snowden Road
• Shortly after this, we heard from South Wales Police's Ch Supt Martyn Stone, who confirmed the police had received CCTV footage showing a police vehicle following a bike
• During the same statement to the press, Stone said the force made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) "to ensure the matter receives independent scrutiny"
• The police watchdog said it received the request this afternoon and was sending investigators to assess whether the IOPC would carry out an independent investigation