A police officer should face gross misconduct proceedings after following two teenagers shortly before they died in an e-bike crash, the police watchdog has determined. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced the decision following its investigation into the May 2023 incident in Cardiff.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, crashed on a Sur-Ron bike in Ely, Cardiff, minutes after CCTV captured them being followed by a police van. The fatal collision occurred when the police vehicle was approximately half a mile away on a different road.
The incident sparked tensions between locals and police that escalated into a riot lasting several hours. Dozens of officers were injured, property was damaged and cars were set alight during the unrest.
Investigation findings
The IOPC investigation found no indication of contact between the police vehicle and the boys' e-bike immediately before the collision. However, the South Wales Police driver faces gross misconduct charges over the accuracy of accounts he provided to colleagues after the incident.
The officer also faces misconduct allegations over his driving and language used in relation to the boys at the collision scene. The watchdog said his driving may have been outside his level of training and authority, contrary to College of Policing practice and force policy on pursuits.
The Crown Prosecution Service decided earlier this year not to bring criminal charges against the officer. The IOPC director David Ford said: "Our independent investigation looked at the interactions South Wales Police had with the boys before the collision, plus accounts provided by officers at the scene."
Political concerns
The Conservative Party warned that the misconduct proceedings could risk deterring officers from pursuing suspects. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "Officers need to have the confidence to pursue suspects where necessary."
"I am deeply concerned that investigating the officer for misconduct in relation to the pursuit itself - which did not occur near the site of the tragic deaths - risks officers across the country simply not pursuing criminals," Philp added. He warned this could lead to criminals escaping justice and reduced public safety.
South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Belcher said the force had fully cooperated with the IOPC investigation and provided all material including CCTV footage. He said: "Our thoughts, as ever, are with the families and friends of Harvey and Kyrees and all those affected by their deaths."
Sources used: "PA Media", "BBC", "Evening Standard" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
