Security forces were called to the scene of the crash on Snowden Road in the Ely area just after 6pm on Monday. Scenes streamed live on YouTube showed dozens of people, many wearing balaclavas or ski masks, walking around, while others threw and fired firecrackers at police forces in riot gear.
At 8:21 p.m. local time, South Wales Police urged people to leave the area and tweeted: “There are now a large number of officers working to calm the ongoing unrest at the scene.”
An hour later, police said emergency forces were still on the scene and stressed the need for citizens to move away from the area. “Please avoid speculation – we will update you as soon as possible – all our updates must be factual,” police added.
At 11.15pm South Wales Police issued another update confirming officers were still at the scene to tackle the “widespread disorder” and again urged people to leave the area.
A fire breaks out and we hear a helicopter flying overhead. Shortly before midnight, one car caught fire and was burned, while a second car overturned and burst into flames.
At 1:10 am, the police posted a tweet announcing the arrest of several rioters.
A police commander at the scene said rioters suspected one of the individuals to be an undercover officer and attacked him.
Police, including soldiers on horseback, were seen outside Ely Police Station in the early hours of Tuesday after hinting they could be targeted.
Read the Latest World News Today on The Eastern Herald.
