THE riots that erupted in Cardiff after two teens died in a crash were sparked by a video that appears to show a police van following two people on a bike.
Violence broke out overnight after Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were killed in the city while riding an electric bike.
Cars were torched and a dozen police were injured as residents of Ely, a district of the Welsh capital, took to the streets.
It has now emerged that much of their anger was down to rumours that the two boys were being chased by police at the time of their deaths.
Police chiefs have denied that their officers were involved in the tragedy until after the collision occurred on a busy street.
South Wales Police stated earlier that the crash had “already occurred when officers arrived”, but appeared to row back on that in a press conference this evening.
CCTV footage from an unknown address has been shared locally.
The video shows a bike travelling at speed along the road.
A police van follows behind, also travelling quickly, following close behind.
South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning: “It would appear that there were rumours, and those rumours became rife, of a police chase, which wasn’t the case and I think it illustrates the speed with which rumours can run around with the activity that goes on social media nowadays, and that events can get out of hand.”
However, the clip has been widely shared among the local community, who have accused the force of “trying to cover themselves”.
One resident said: “Those boys were chased – it is all there on video for us all to see. That is why people took to the streets to do what they did.”
Harvey Evans’ godmother Bridy Bool added: “We know the boys have been chased, there are videos of it.”
It comes after tributes were paid to the two teens as the violence raged on.
Meanwhile, Kyrees Sullivan’s mother Belinda begged yobs to stop blocking cops as her son lay dead in the street for hours during the riots.
At a press conference this evening Chief Superintendent Martin Snow said: “At 6.03pm we received a report of a serious collision which resulted in the death of two boys.
“An electric bike has been seized from the scene. We’ve received CCTV of police following a bike.
“This is being used in the investigation.
“When the collision occurred there were no police on Snowdon road. We do not believe any other vehicles were involved.”
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of it.”
A South Wales police spokesperson said this afternoon that a statement on whether the force had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct would be disclosed later.
