IOPC investigates complaints about South Wales Police made by the families of two teenagers who died in Ely

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating complaints about South Wales Police, made by the families of two teenage boys who died in Cardiff in May.  

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were riding on an electric bike when they were involved in a collision in the Ely area of the city. CCTV showed a police van travelling close behind the bike in the run up to the incident.

We have begun a second investigation focused on issues raised by the boys’ families. The complaints that we are examining include:

• South Wales Police’s response and management of the collision scene on the night of 22 May
• Treatment of the families at the scene of the collision 
• The force’s communication with the families following the boys’ deaths.

Our original investigation into South Wales Police and their interactions with the teenagers before their deaths is at an advanced stage.

Evidence gathering from our enquiries in Ely has been completed. We have taken a large number of statements from local residents as the result of our house-to-house enquiries. We have reviewed hundreds of video clips as well as body-worn video from officers who were at the scene. We have also taken further statements from police officers and staff. We have liaised with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and reviewed a large amount of evidence gathered by our investigators. We have identified further lines of enquiry which we are now pursuing as a priority.  

In June, we served the driver and passenger of the police van with gross misconduct notices. Additionally, in August, we informed the driver of the police van that they were under criminal investigation for dangerous driving. This does not necessarily mean that disciplinary or criminal proceedings will follow. 

IOPC Director David Ford: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families and friends of Kyrees and Harvey and everyone impacted by their untimely deaths. 

We are independently investigating several complaints raised by their families, which are mainly centred around their interactions with South Wales Police on the night of the incident and in the following days and weeks. 

This is in addition to our original investigation for which we have obtained and scrutinised a substantial volume of evidence and we continue to make good progress. Decisions regarding any disciplinary proceedings and any referral to the Crown Prosecution Service will be made upon the conclusion of our investigation.

We are updating the boys’ families and South Wales Police regularly with our progress on both investigations.”