Mark Drakeford chairs community meeting after death of teenagers sparks uproar
Ales First Minister Mark Drakeford will chair a meeting between officials and community leaders in Ely after the deaths of two teenagers sparked a riot.
Harvey Evans, 15, died with his best friend Kyrees Sullivan, 16, when the Sur Ron bike they were riding crashed in the Ely borough just after 6pm on Monday.
Her death sparked hours of violence and riots after news broke on social media that a marked police car had followed the couple minutes before the accident.
Nine people, between the ages of 15 and 21, were arrested after the disturbance.
Since then, surveillance camera from the area has confirmed that police were pursuing the youths, although South Wales Police and Crime Inspector Alun Michael dismissed it as a “rumour” the next day.
In response to events, Mr Drakeford will chair a meeting between local politicians, authorities and community groups including ACE (Action in Caerau and Ely) on Friday.
He will be joined by Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt, MP Kevin Brennan, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael, Ely Councilor Russell Goodway, Councilor Huw Thomas and Cardiff Council leader Paul Orders.
Later in the day, a vigil and the balloon release are planned to pay tribute to the boys.
In a Facebook post, a friend of the families said: “We know tensions remain high at this time. But we’re asking if people will be able to contain their anger tomorrow night when the balloon is released.
“The mothers asked out of respect if there were no Surons to be seen around and tomorrow night let’s all come together for the love and life they’ve had here with us.”
Police said they were continuing their investigation into both the accident and the riots that followed.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an inquiry into “any interaction” between South Wales Police and the teenagers before the crash.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/mark-drakeford-south-wales-police-ely-action-cctv-b1083868.html Mark Drakeford chairs community meeting after death of teenagers sparks uproar
