Cars torched in Welsh capital as police deal with ‘large-scale disorder’
At least two cars have been torched and objects thrown at police after a traffic accident on Monday night in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, became what officials described as a “large-scale disorder”.
Police officers stand guard on Howell Road in Cardiff as they deal with ‘large scale disorder’ at the scene of a serious road traffic accident on Snowden Road in Ely, Cardiff on Tuesday May 23, 2023. Some Cars were set on fire and objects were thrown at police after a traffic accident on Monday night in the Welsh capital Cardiff turned into what officials described as a “large-scale mess”. (Bronwen Weatherby/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
LONDON — At least two cars have been torched and objects thrown at police after a traffic accident on Monday night in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, became what officials described as a “large-scale disorder”.
Officers were called to the scene of an accident on Snowden Road in the Ely district shortly after 6pm on Monday. Scenes streamed live on YouTube showed dozens of people, many wearing balaclavas or balaclavas, moving about while others threw objects and fired fireworks at a line of police with riot shields which blocked one end of the street.
At 8.21pm, South Wales Police urged people to leave the area and tweeted: ‘There are now a large number of officers working to deal with the collision but also to defuse the mess in course on the spot.”
An hour later, police said emergency services remained at the scene and reiterated the importance of people staying away from the area. The force added: “Please avoid speculation – we will bring you the final details as soon as possible – all our updates must be factual.”
At 11.15pm, South Wales Police provided a further update saying officers remained at the scene to deal with a “large-scale disorder”, again urging people to avoid the area.
A fire was burning and a helicopter could be heard hovering overhead. Shortly before midnight, a car was set on fire and badly burned, while a second vehicle was overturned and set on fire.
At 1:10 a.m., police tweeted that arrests were in progress.
According to one of the senior officers at the scene, a member of the public was mistaken for an undercover officer and assaulted.
Police, including officers on horseback, were seen outside Ely Police Station in the early hours of Tuesday after suggesting he might be targeted.
