Police in riot shields are facing off against large crowds around a fire in Ely, Cardiff, hurling bricks and blazing items at them. The "large scale disorder" follows a serious crash in Snowden Road earlier on Monday that shut the road between Wilson Road and Jackson Road.
South Wales Police said they were called shortly after 6pm to reports of a serious road traffic collision in Snowden Road.
A statement said that police responded to the collision, which had already occurred when officers arrived, adding: "We need to ensure that this evening's collision is effectively investigated."
Follow live updates here: Crowds riot on Cardiff estate after serious crash
Officers have not yet confirmed if there were any casualties in the collision, but described it as "serious" and said they were working to "de-escalate" ongoing disorder and were asking people to leave the scene.
At 11.15pm they said that officers remained on scene to "manage a large scale disorder", asking people to leave the scene immediately and urging local people to stay indoors.
Videos shared from the scene on social media show large numbers of people around a large fire in the middle of the road with a line of police officers with riot shields across Stanway Road standing a short distance away. The footage shows bricks and other items being thrown at officers, along with fireworks.
There is a large fire in the road. People are taking rubbish, chairs and sofas towards the fire. People are also pushing breeze blocks off garden walls and carrying them towards the fire and the police. There are also a large number of cars at the scene - indicating some people have driven to the area.
It has been reported that two police cars were damaged around Wilson Road, where between 100 and 150 people gathered. A picture from the scene shows one police car at the scene with a smashed windscreen and its wing mirrors broken off.
One witness described it as "absolutely horrendous", adding that they had never seen so many emergency vehicles in one place.
At 8.20pm on Monday night (May 22), South Wales Police tweeted: "Emergency services are at the scene of a serious road traffic collision on Snowden Road, Ely. The road is closed between Wilson Road and Jackson Road. Please avoid the area and take an alternative route."
The statement added: "There is now a large number of officers working to manage the collision, but also to de-escalate ongoing disorder at the scene. We urge anyone involved to leave the scene immediately and ask local residents to stay away while the matter is brought to a safe conclusion."
An hour later, at 9.20pm, they said emergency services remained at the scene and asked people to avoid the area so they could deal with the incident.
They also asked for people not to speculate on what had happened.
Police said that anyone with information about the collision or the disorder should contact police on 101 quoting 2200166555.
Read next:
- Family of nine share four beds in Cardiff hotel which ‘stinks of cannabis’
Woman defrauded one of Wales' top restaurants of £150k with help from husband
Police looking for Madeleine McCann seal off reservoir in Portugal
Find out about crime levels where you live:
