A police watchdog has given an update into its investigation into police interaction with two teenagers prior to their deaths in Ely. Best friends Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in a collision in Ely, Cardiff, on Monday evening.
Nine people between the ages of 15 and 21 were arrested following the disorder. CCTV from the area has since confirmed police were following the teenagers despite South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael dismissing it the following day as "rumour".
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began an investigation earlier this week after receiving a referral from South Wales Police due to CCTV footage showing a marked police van driving behind the boys’ electric bike, in a nearby street, shortly before the collision on May 22.
Read more: Vigil planned to pay tribute to boys who died in Ely crash
They have conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries on streets in Ely and have been gathering information from local residents and CCTV footage. They are also reviewing initial accounts from the police officers involved.
A statement said: "We have contacted the families of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, who sadly lost their lives in the incident."
In a statement they outlined what they are investigating:
- the nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of the police officers’ decisions and actions
- whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit
- whether the interaction between the police officers and the boys was reported appropriately by the officers prior to and following the collision
- and whether the actions and decisions of South Wales Police over the interaction were in line with legislation, local and national policies and procedures.
IOPC Director David Ford: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Kyrees and Harvey, as well as all those affected by the loss of two young lives in such a close-knit community as Ely.
"Our investigators have been conducting enquiries and securing evidence in the immediate vicinity of where the events took place, speaking to local residents, distributing leaflets and gathering as much relevant information as possible. I am truly grateful for the co-operation and assistance we have received from people within the local community.
"We would welcome anyone we haven’t yet spoken to yet, who believes they have footage or witnessed anything relevant between 5.35 pm and 6.10 pm on Monday, to come forward to us.
“We are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of what took place in the period leading up to the collision. I would like to reassure everyone in the community that our work will be thorough, impartial, and independent of the police.”
Anyone with information or footage can call the IOPC on our incident line number: 0300 3030771 or email: SnowdenRoad@policeconduct.gov.uk.
It comes as First Minister Mark Drakeford hosts a meeting it bring together community representatives and public agencies to discuss support for the Ely community. It started with a moment of silent reflection for the family and friends.
A vigil and balloon release is also planned to take place on Friday evening.
Read next:
- Nine people arrested in connection with Ely riot in Cardiff
- New CCTV footage emerges of police van following teens before they died in Ely crash
- Poignant handwritten notes left at scene of Cardiff crash as friends mourn teenagers
- Police release timeline of events in moments before crash that killed two teenagers in Ely, Cardiff
- Police watchdog confirms it will investigate Ely crash which killed two teenagers
