Ely community meeting begins with ‘moment of reflection’ after boys’ deaths

Tributes to teenagers Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan (PA)

A meeting between public officials and community representatives after the deaths of two best friends in Cardiff sparked a riot has begun with a “moment of reflection” for the teenagers.

Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, is chairing the meeting between local politicians, agencies, and community groups, including Ace (Action in Caerau and Ely).

He is being joined by Welsh Government Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt, as well as Kevin Brennan MP, who represents the Ely area, South Wales police and crime commissioner Alun Michael, ward councillor Russell Goodway, council leader Huw Thomas and council chief executive Paul Orders.

The meeting is being held following the deaths of Harvey Evans, 15, and best friend Kyrees Sullivan, 16, who died when the Sur-Ron bike they were riding crashed in the Ely area of Cardiff just after 6pm on Monday.

Harvey Evans, left, and Kyrees Sullivan (Family handouts/PA)

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The meeting started with everyone marking a moment of reflection for the family and friends of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans.”

Their deaths sparked several hours of violence and disorder after word spread on social media that a marked police van had been pursuing the pair minutes before the crash.

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 Mr Michael dismissing it the following day as “rumour”.

Hundreds of floral tributes and ballons have been left in Snowden Road to the two boys (Bronwen Weatherby/PA) — Hundreds of floral tributes and balloons have been left in Snowden Road (Bronwen Weatherby/PA)

On Friday evening a vigil and balloon release has been planned to pay tribute to the boys.

In a Facebook post, a friend of the families said: “We know tensions are still high right now. But we ask if for the balloon release people can keep their anger inside.

“The mums asked if no Sur-Rons can be seen around out of respect and let us all come together for the love and life that they had here with us.”

Police said they are continuing to investigate both the crash and the riot which followed.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into “any interaction” between the South Wales force and the teenagers prior to the crash.