Mayhill: Claim authorities 'knew of stolen car danger before riot'

Stolen cars being sent freewheeling down a residential hill during a riot were already a "known danger" to authorities, it has been claimed.

Father-of-two Adam Romain had to flee his house after it was targeted in the riots in Swansea in May when he tried to stop youths setting fire to his car.

He claimed he warned police and Swansea council in February after a car was sent down his road in Mayhill.

The council said it was "isolated" and there was a "bigger discussion".

It comes after a joint review was announced to understand why rioting broke out in the Waun Wen Road area of Mayhill where "yobs" torched cars and threw bricks at houses on 20 May.

Seven police officers were injured in the violence - involving about "100 lads" according to witnesses - which was condemned by First Minister Mark Drakeford as "completely unacceptable" and Home Secretary Priti Patel as "disgraceful".

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Police have since made about 30 arrests, and now an independent panel of experts, including South Wales Police, its Police and Crime Commissioner and Swansea council, will investigate why the disturbance happened.

Mr Romain was targeted after he tried to stop rioters attacking his car - but the delivery driver had to flee his home after they started throwing missiles at his house.

But he has claimed he warned the authorities about possible unrest on the Mayhill estate.

"Back in February we had an incident which was about 02:00," he recalled.

"A vehicle was taken from the top of the hill and basically freewheeled down."

He said it came "flying down" and smashed "through this barrier" put half-way down the steep Waun Wen Road near the house he has lived in for four years.

Adam Romain said this car was stolen and pushed down the hill in February

A crashed stolen car after it was rolled down Swansea's steep Waun Wen Road in February

"It hit both and landed in that diagonal way across the road," said Mr Romain.

"The police and the council would have known now because of this event that there is a danger and the bollards were not going to protect very much.

"It was a known danger already, we did request some concrete bollards, it would be interesting to know how we can improve the response towards the communities issues."

Mr Romain's mother Christina added: "This is an extreme inaction, failing and people should be made accountable."

The leader of the council insisted there were plans in place to prevent anti-social behaviour on the road - but they had not yet been introduced.

"That issue, as far as I'm aware, was isolated," said councillor Rob Stewart, who had previously called the violence "disgusting behaviour by yobs".

"There was a much bigger discussion going on around motorcycles, about people being able to cycle fast up and down the hill.

"That meant we were looking at a much different solution to just putting a bollard in.

"We are looking at a park and play area, a re-greening of the whole area - a complete break in the area between this road and that road.

"The solution being worked up was one that was a much better solution for the community.

"I don't hold to the premise even putting these in would have prevented somebody trying to roll a car down if they were criminal and intent on criminal activity on that evening."

Families spoke of being trapped in houses, with police being "pelted with rocks" as they tried to break up the riot.

South Wales Police's response has been criticised by some residents after a vigil for 19-year-old Ethan Powell, who had recently died, turned into violence.

"I can fully appreciate that for the people living on Waun Wen Road, and the surrounding areas, this would have been a terrifying experience for them," said Chief Supt Jo Maal.

"In terms of the response, we will look at all of these aspects. What calls were made to us and over what period of time we responded. But that will become apparent in due course."

Mr Romain, for example, said he dialled 999 on three occasions after coming back to his home after a frantic call from his partner.

"It felt like I was driving into a war zone," Mr Romain told BBC Wales Investigates.

"They gave some explanations but nothing was satisfactory. Nothing that they said to me was 'ok, I understand completely'.

"There were some individual officers [who] apologised. They accept that there was a failing on that side."

There are plans to regenerate that area of Swansea, collectively known as "the hill", which overlooks the city and Swansea Bay.

"There will be and there has been significant investment in Mayhill, Townhill and Gors," said Mr Stewart.

"About £50m has gone into housing on the hill. That investment has gone in but we're on a journey to try and shore up the community, to support it as we come out of the Covid pandemic."

BBC Wales Investigates: Mayhill Riot. BBC1 Wales on Wednesday at 19:30 BST or catch-up after on BBCiPlayer.