The Welsh Government say they will work with locals to "develop a community plan for Caerau and Ely" after a crash which killed two teenagers led to rioting. Best friends Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died on May 22 in a collision in Snowden Road, Ely while riding an electric bike.
Two police officers have been served gross misconduct notices following the deaths after footage emerged of a police van following the boys shortly before the crash. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began an investigation after receiving a referral from South Wales Police.
Such notices advise officers their conduct is subject to investigation, they do not necessarily mean that any disciplinary proceedings will follow. The two officers were the driver and passenger of the vehicle in the CCTV clip.
Read more: Two arrests and 20 vehicles seized after ride-out to remember teenagers killed in Ely crash
The boys' deaths led to a confrontation between people in the community and police which later turned into hours of violence and vandalism. Currently 20 people have been arrested linked to the disorder. CCTV showed police were following the teenagers despite South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael having initially dismissed chase reports as "rumour".
There remain many unanswered questions surrounding the deaths and the events preceding and following the tragedy, including whether the police action prior to the crash that killed the teenagers amounted to a 'pursuit'. South Wales Police has said police were not in the immediate vicinity of the crash when it happened and released a timeline of events.
Around 1,000 people gathered in Ely days after for a moving tribute to the boys. Balloons, flares and fireworks were released in their memory as mourners carried blue and white balloons or wore white T-shirts with the faces of Kyrees and Harvey printed on them. Blue and orange flares were set off to loud applause as the sky filled with heart-shaped balloons.
Now, Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip, has announced the Welsh Government's intention to develop a plan for Caerau and Ely.
She said: "We have been continuing discussions about how to ensure the community plan is grassroots-led. I can now confirm that Action for Caerau and Ely (ACE) – a local organisation with a long record of supporting these communities – will undertake a lead coordinating role, working closely with local organisations through a local steering group and engaging widely with residents of all ages. This approach will ensure that the community plan is deeply rooted in the needs and aspirations of the people of Caerau and Ely.
We are in the process of establishing a Community Reference Group, with members from key public services and community representatives, which will support the work of the local steering group. The Community Reference Group will be chaired by me, with the Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, as Vice Chair.
"We intend to hold the first meeting of this group in early July, with the timing of future meetings informed by the work of the local steering group. I will also be attending the next meeting of the Cardiff and Vale Public Services Board in late June."
The minister says that the details of the community plan will emerge from the work of the local steering group, but it is "already clear that there will need to be a strong focus on supporting children and young people."
As a result, a programme of activities to support and engage children, young people, and families will be implemented while the community plan is being developed.
Tripartite funding has been agreed between the Welsh Government, Cardiff Council and the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner to provide initial support for the community and to enable the development of the community plan.
She added: "In developing this targeted and robust response to the tragic events in Ely, I remain mindful of the needs of other communities. The work we do in Ely and Caerau will help inform wider programmes to engage with and support communities across Wales."
