THE LEADER of Cardiff Council said it is important that the events and movements to the run up to and following a fatal crash in Ely are set out publicly as soon as possible.
Cllr Huw Thomas made the comments in a speech to fellow councillors at the local authority’s annual general meeting in City Hall on Thursday May 25.
Two teenage boys, Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were killed in an electric bike crash on Monday May 22.
Nine people were arrested in the disorder which followed the collision on Snowden Road, Ely, after it was said that a police vehicle had been pursuing the boys.
CCTV footage shows that a police van was following the teenagers before the crash.
Cllr Huw Thomas added in his speech that the council will do everything it can to ensure that calm is restored to the area.
He said: “I’m sure everyone will join me in conveying our deepest sympathies to the families of Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan as they try to make sense of the grievous loss of their two boys.
“The scenes of disorder that followed were shocking; and we will be doing everything we can with the local community and key partners to ensure that calm is restored to the area.”
Cardiff Council conducted a clean up operation in the area affected by disorder on Tuesday May 23 and its youth services have been working closely with PCSOs.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since opened an investigation into the events leading up to the crash.
Cllr Thomas said: “As we move forward, it is important that a full investigation into exactly what happened takes place, and the referral by South Wales Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct is an important first step.
“It is also important that the events and movements in the run up to, and following, the tragic incident on Monday night are set out publicly as soon as possible.
“Openness and dialogue are vital components of ensuring public trust in the institutions that serve them, as is having the humility to recognise that – in some parts of our communities – the level of trust in public institutions is not where it needs to be.
“Members of the bereaved families have called for peace within the community so that the investigation can be carried out.
“I along with everyone in this chamber join them in echoing these sentiments.”
The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, will today be meeting with representatives of the community in Ely and public agencies to talk about support for the area.
Following this, a balloon release and vigil will take place to pay tribute to Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans.
