Thugs clad in balaclavas have set cars on fire, thrown fireworks at riot police and charged at officers in a night of chaos on the streets of Cardiff tonight.
Hundreds of people brought violence and mayhem a residential street in the suburb Ely on Monday evening as they faced off against officers from South Wales Police.
Footage from the scene show thugs launching fireworks, rocks, paving slabs and even a door at the police before charging at them, with officers from the force charging back at them.
The vandals also smashed car windows before turning the vehicles onto their sides and setting them on fire, with the tyres exploding when rubbish and mattresses were thrown on them to fuel the flames.
Riot police with dogs were deployed to the scene of a ‘serious’ road crash around 6pm this evening, which has since descended into scenes of violence with police and rioters seen charging at each other.
The chaotic scenes on Snowden Road in Ely are being livestreamed on Youtube, showing hundreds of people gathering in the street.
The road is reportedly closed and police have asked members of the public to avoid the area and stay indoors, with a police helicopter broadcasting warnings as it circles overhead.
Riot police with dogs have been deployed at the scene of a serious road crash
Several cars were smashed up and set on fire, with at least one exploding
Rubbish has also reportedly been set on fire at the scene on Snowden Road in Ely
Multiple police vans have been pictured at the scene with scores of riot officers
Rioters were seen hurling missiles, including bricks, at riot police
Riot police in Ely, Cardiff have joined emergency services at the scene of a crash after objects were thrown at officers
Riot police with shields and full protective gear were seen in the street
A topless, masked man is pictured standing in front of riot police in Cardiff tonight
Scenes being livestreamed on YouTube showed youths throwing fireworks and other missiles at a line of police officers with riot shields who were blocking one end of the street.
Men were seen ripping off their shirts and covering their faces with them, as flames raged in the street.
Several cars were engulfed in infernos, many flipped on their sides, as young men were seen wheeling more vehicles into the fires.
A police helicopter, riot police with shields and full protective gear, and dogs are at the scene.
The helicopter has been using a loud speaker to ask people to move back as a vehicle is on fire.
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A red car was seen being engulfed by flames during a live stream
Police officers on Wilson Road in Cardiff as they face a ‘large scale disorder’ at the scene
Dozens of riot police have been filmed at the scene where fires are being lit
A thug was seen kicking in the windscreen of a car as riot police watched on
Police have asked people to stay away from the area and urged locals to stay indoors, with a line of officers seen guarding the street.
Police have said they are ‘de-escalating ongoing disorder’ at the scene of a ‘serious’ road traffic collision in Cardiff.
At 8.20pm on Monday night, emergency services announced they were at the scene of the crash on Snowden Road in Ely.
The public were warned that the road was closed between Wilson Road and Jackson Road and urged to avoid to area.
Police were called to the scene of a serious road collision earlier this evening
Crowds were seen gathering as the scenes of destruction unfolded
Pictures from earlier this evening show a police car with a smashed in windscreen
South Wales Police tweeted shortly after: ‘There is now a large number of officers working to manage the collision, but also to de-escalate ongoing disorder at the scene.
‘We urge anyone involved to leave the scene immediately and ask local residents to stay away while the matter is brought to a safe conclusion.’
An hour later, police said emergency services remained at the scene and reiterated the importance of people staying away from the area.
The force added: ‘Please avoid speculation – we will bring you the latest details as soon as we can – all of our updates must be factual.’
Pictures from earlier this evening show a police car with a smashed in windscreen.
Police have not given any details on what took place at the ‘serious’ crash earlier.
South Wales Police earlier said following the crash that a number of officers were working to ‘manage the collision, but also to de-escalate ongoing disorder.’
‘We urge anyone involved to leave the scene immediately and ask local residents to stay away while the matter is brought to a safe conclusion.’
This is a breaking news story, follow for updates.
