Shocking live footage shows thugs dressed in balaclavas throwing firecrackers at police and setting cars on fire as “massive disorder” unfolds on a Cardiff street.
Riot police with dogs were deployed to the scene of a ‘serious’ traffic accident around 6pm tonight, which has since descended into violent scenes where police and rioters have been seen attacking each other.
The chaotic scenes on Snowden Road in Ely are being streamed live on YouTube, with hundreds of people seen on the street.
Objects, including a door and paving stones, were thrown at police and their vehicles. Several cars were destroyed and set on fire, at least one of which exploded, and rubbish, mattresses and sofas engulfed in massive flames.
The road is reportedly closed and police have asked the public to avoid the area and stay indoors, while a police helicopter is broadcasting warnings as it circles overhead.
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.
