Rioters set vehicles alight and attack police during night of violence in Swansea – with officers threatening ‘robust’ action to bring the situation under control
- Vigil for a recently-deceased local resident escalated into chaos in Swansea
- Police described ‘violence, criminal damage and a disregard for public safety’
- Trouble is ‘ongoing’ and South Wales Police are urging residents to stay indoors
- Local Welsh Parliament member Tom Giffard called the scenes ‘disturbing’
Rioters have set vehicles alight and attacked police during a night of violence in Swansea – with officers threatening ‘robust’ action to bring the situation under control.
A vigil for a recently-deceased local resident escalated into ‘violence, criminal damage and a wanton disregard for public safety’ in the Mayhill area, police said.
The trouble is ‘ongoing’ and South Wales Police are urging residents to stay indoors while officers try to safely deal with the situation.
Shocking pictures taken at the scene showed flames billowing from a torched car as onlookers gathered to watch. Locals said the car belonged to a man who tried to stop the violence.
Witnesses claimed a 90-year-old woman living nearby had her ‘windows put through’ by the group – as did two other neighbours.
And disturbing video footage shows the group rolling a car down a hill – towards the burning vehicle – before it crashes into the wall. The group erupt into cheers at the sound of the crash.
Rioters have set vehicles alight and attacked police during a night of violence in Swansea – with officers threatening ‘robust’ action to bring the situation under control
Local Welsh Parliament member Tom Giffard called the scenes ‘disturbing’.
South Wales Police Superintendent Tim Morgan said: ‘We have a number of officers at the scene working to de-escalate the situation as quickly as possible and allow other emergency service colleagues to attend to calls in the area.
‘The incident is still on-going and we urge anyone involved to leave the scene immediately.
‘Those involved can expect to face robust action.
‘Post-incident investigations will also aim to identify all those concerned.
‘In the meantime, we urge local residents to stay indoors while the matter is brought to a safe conclusion.’
Local Welsh Parliament member Tom Giffard called the scenes (pictured) ‘disturbing’
The trouble (a group gathered, pictured) is ‘ongoing’ and South Wales Police are urging residents to stay indoors while officers try to safely deal with the situation
Flames were seen billowing from the car in Swansea after it was set alight
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