Rioters burn and overturn cars and hurl fireworks and paving stones at police on Cardiff estate
Thugs dressed in balaclavas have set cars on fire, thrown fireworks at riot police and attacked officers in a night of chaos on the streets of Cardiff.
Hundreds of people caused violence and chaos on a residential street in the suburb of Ely on Monday night when they took on officers from South Wales Police.
Footage from the scene shows thugs launching firecrackers, bricks, paving stones and even a door at the police before charging at them, as police officers attack them.
The vandals also smashed car windows before turning the vehicles on their side and setting them on fire, the tires blowing up when rubbish and mattresses were thrown at them to fan the flames.
Flames from the fires reached 15 feet in the air, and when police blocked the road in the area, helicopters could be seen and heard flying. The violence took place after a ‘serious’ accident on Snowden Road around 6pm, according to South Wales Police.
Riot police with dogs have been deployed at the scene of a serious traffic accident
Several cars were smashed and set on fire, at least one of which exploded
Rubbish has also reportedly been set on fire at the Snowden Road crime scene in Ely
Multiple police vans have been photographed at the scene with dozens of riot police officers
There were rioters who hurled rockets, including stones, at riot police
Riot police in Ely, Cardiff, have joined emergency services at the scene of an accident after objects were thrown at officers
Riot police with shields and full protective gear could be seen on the street
A topless, masked man stands before riot police in Cardiff tonight
Scenes broadcast live on YouTube showed youths throwing fireworks and other rockets at a line of police officers with riot shields blocking one end of the street.
Men were seen taking off their shirts and covering their faces as the flames raged in the street.
Several cars were engulfed in infernos, many toppling on their sides, as young men saw more vehicles drive into the fire.
A police helicopter, riot police with shields and full protective gear and dogs are on the scene.
The helicopter has been using a loudspeaker to ask people to back off as a vehicle is on fire.
During a live stream, a red car could be seen going up in flames
Police officers on Cardiff’s Wilson Road as they face a ‘massive disorder’ at the scene
Dozens of riot police have been filmed at the scene where fires are set
A thug was seen smashing the windshield of a car as riot police watched
Police have asked people to stay away from the area and urged locals to stay indoors, with a line of officers guarding the street.
Police have said they are seeing ‘de-escalating ongoing disorder’ at the scene of a ‘serious’ road accident in Cardiff.
At 8.20pm on Monday evening, emergency services announced they were at the scene of the accident on Snowden Road in Ely.
The public was warned that the road between Wilson Road and Jackson Road was closed and urged to avoid the area.
Police received a report of a serious traffic accident earlier this evening
Crowds could be seen as the scenes of destruction unfolded
Photos from earlier this evening show a police car with a smashed windshield
South Wales Police tweeted shortly afterwards: ‘A large number of officers are now working to contain the collision, but also to de-escalate the ongoing disorder at the scene.
“We are urging all involved to leave the crime scene immediately and ask residents to stay away while the case is brought to a safe conclusion.”
An hour later, police said emergency services remained on scene and reiterated the importance of people staying away from the area.
Police added: “Please avoid speculation – we will bring you the latest details as soon as possible – all our updates must be factual.”
Photos from earlier this evening show a police car with a smashed windshield.
The police have not given details about what happened in the ‘serious’ accident before.
South Wales Police said earlier after the crash that a number of officers were working to ‘control the collision, but also de-escalate the ongoing disorder’.
“We are urging all involved to leave the crime scene immediately and ask residents to stay away while the case is brought to a safe conclusion.”
This is a breaking news story, follow for updates.