A disabled woman says she is now 'trapped' after rioters torched her car during the "large scale disorder” in Cardiff that started last night (Monday, May 22) and was still ongoing in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday, May 23).
Trouble flared after officers were initially called to the scene of a "serious" collision on Snowden Road, shortly after 6pm on Monday. Police said the collision “had already occurred when officers arrived”.
Scenes livestreamed on YouTube showed people throwing fireworks and other missiles at a line of police officers with riot shields who were blocking one end of the street. Rioters were still on the streets nine hours later.
READ MORE: Police issue early hours update after rioters set cars on fire
In the early hours of this morning, rioters moved down Highmead Road in Ely, Cardiff, followed by police who were trying to disperse them. Cars, as well as rubbish and wheelie bins, were set alight by rioters, who continued to throw missiles as they were moved through the streets by armoured police.
Jane Palmer, whose Ford Focus was set alight on Highmead Road, said she and her family watched from their window as rioters torched her car. The family attempted to stop the fire using water from their garden hose - but were unable to prevent it from taking hold and destroying their vehicle.
Ms Palmer told PA news agency: “I’m disabled, so now I’m trapped without my car. Why are they doing this? It’s just silly now.”
A man called Connor, who also lives in Highmead Road, said: “It’s been a mad night. This is not the norm around here but people are pretty anti-police and that’s reflected on both sides, not that that’s my opinion.
“Although we’ve been afflicted by this riot, I still understand it. When people have enough, this is what happens.”
One resident of Highmead Road, who did not want to be named, told the PA news agency: “Enough is enough now. This has gone beyond. When people are making fun of what’s happening on social media it’s crossed a line.
“This is our neighbourhood and those doing this are just kids. It needs to stop.”
The latest updates on this story can be found here.
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