Two police officers who followed two teenage boys on an electric bike before they died in a crash in Cardiff have been served with gross misconduct notices, according to the UK police watchdog.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were fatally injured in a crash on Monday 22 May 2023 in Ely in Cardiff.
Their deaths sparked riots in the area after it was claimed the 'best friends' were being chased by police moments beforehand.
South Wales Police (SWP) initially dismissed this as a rumour before CCTV footage emerged showing a marked van following the boys.
The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after it admitted the teens were being followed by a van 85 seconds before the crash.
Investigators from the IOPC have now served gross misconduct notices to two SWP officers, the driver and the passenger of the unmarked van, JetBlack as part of its investigation into the incident.
Childhood best friends Kyrees, 16, (right) and Harvey, 15 (left) were fatally injured after they crashed in the suburb of Ely, Cardiff, at 6pm on May 22
Their deaths sparked riots in the area after it was claimed the 'best friends' were being chased by police moments beforehand
Pictured are Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan on the electric bike, which was an early birthday present, moments before their fatal crash
The watchdog said the serving of the notices did not mean that disciplinary proceedings would follow.
It previously said it was looking at the nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of their decisions and actions, whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit and whether the interaction between the police officers and the boys was reported appropriately by the officers prior to and following the collision.
Investigators have been reviewing hundreds of video clips and initial accounts and body-worn video from police officers and staff, the watchdog said.
In a statement, the IOPC said: 'As part of our investigation, we have served gross misconduct notices on two police officers, the driver and passenger in a marked police van, which was seen on CCTV footage driving behind the boys' electric bike a short time prior to the fatal collision on May 22.
'Such notices advise officers their conduct is subject to investigation. They do not necessarily mean that any disciplinary proceedings will follow.
'Our investigation began last month following a referral from South Wales Police, after relevant CCTV footage came to light.
'Investigators are reviewing hundreds of video footage clips that we have gathered as a result of our house-to-house enquiries and leafleting at properties in Ely.
'To ensure we identify and secure relevant evidence, we have followed up inquiries with, and taken statements from, some local residents.
'We have also set up witness appeal boards on relevant streets. In addition to these lines of inquiry, we have reviewed initial accounts and body-worn video from relevant police officers and staff.
'We are in regular contact with the families of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, who sadly lost their lives, to keep them updated on the progress of our investigation.
'Our investigation continues to focus on the nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of the officers' decisions and actions.
'In particular, we are examining whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit. South Wales Police has continued to co-operate with our investigation.'
One video shows a police van following an e-bike less than two minutes before the accident that killed the two boys. This image shows the boys riding the e-bike
A marked police van then follows behind the bike about one second later
IOPC director David Ford: 'I wish to again extend my sympathies to the family and friends of Kyrees and Harvey, and to everyone who has felt the impactful loss of two young lives in Ely.
'The response from the community in helping our investigators has been very positive and I am extremely grateful for this assistance.
'In case there are still people with relevant information we have yet to speak to, we have placed witness appeal boards in the vicinity of the incident.
'We would urge anyone who believes they have useful information to come forward to us.
'We have also met with local community leaders and elected officials to explain our role and the remit of our investigation.
'As our investigation continues to progress, I would like to reassure everyone that we are focused on establishing precisely what happened in the run up to the tragic incident.
'Our work will remain impartial and completely independent of the police.'
A dozen officers were injured - but none seriously - during the riots on the night of the boys' deaths.
Cars were torched and paving slabs and fireworks were thrown at officers armed with riot shields, leaving 15 injured.
Footage from the night showed fireworks, rocks, paving slabs and even a door being hurled at police in riot gear.
Car windows were smashed and set on fire, while tyres exploded when rubbish and mattresses were thrown on them to fuel the flames.
South Wales Police said 17 males and three females, aged between 14 and 36, had been arrested on suspicion of riot.
All have since been released on police bail while the investigation continues, the force said.
Riot police in Ely, Cardiff joined emergency services at the scene of a crash after objects were thrown at officers
A car burns on Highmead Road during the riots in Cardiff on 22 May
One rioter stands on top of an overturned car as tyres were also exploded when rubbish and mattresses were thrown on them to fuel the flames during the riots
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, were fatally injured in a crash on Monday 22 May 2023 in Ely in Cardiff.
Their deaths sparked riots in the area after it was claimed the 'best friends' were being chased by police moments beforehand. South Wales Police (SWP) initially dismissed this as a rumour before CCTV footage emerged showing a marked van following the boys.
The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after it admitted the teens were being followed by a van 85 seconds before the crash.
Investigators from the IOPC have now served gross misconduct notices to two SWP officers, the driver and the passenger of the unmarked van, JetBlack as part of its investigation into the incident.
Childhood best friends Kyrees, 16, (right) and Harvey, 15 (left) were fatally injured after they crashed in the suburb of Ely, Cardiff, at 6pm on May 22
Their deaths sparked riots in the area after it was claimed the 'best friends' were being chased by police moments beforehand
Pictured are Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan on the electric bike, which was an early birthday present, moments before their fatal crash
The watchdog said the serving of the notices did not mean that disciplinary proceedings would follow.
It previously said it was looking at the nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of their decisions and actions, whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit and whether the interaction between the police officers and the boys was reported appropriately by the officers prior to and following the collision.
Investigators have been reviewing hundreds of video clips and initial accounts and body-worn video from police officers and staff, the watchdog said.
In a statement, the IOPC said: 'As part of our investigation, we have served gross misconduct notices on two police officers, the driver and passenger in a marked police van, which was seen on CCTV footage driving behind the boys' electric bike a short time prior to the fatal collision on May 22.
'Such notices advise officers their conduct is subject to investigation. They do not necessarily mean that any disciplinary proceedings will follow.
'Our investigation began last month following a referral from South Wales Police, after relevant CCTV footage came to light.
'Investigators are reviewing hundreds of video footage clips that we have gathered as a result of our house-to-house enquiries and leafleting at properties in Ely.
'To ensure we identify and secure relevant evidence, we have followed up inquiries with, and taken statements from, some local residents.
'We have also set up witness appeal boards on relevant streets. In addition to these lines of inquiry, we have reviewed initial accounts and body-worn video from relevant police officers and staff.
'We are in regular contact with the families of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans, who sadly lost their lives, to keep them updated on the progress of our investigation.
'Our investigation continues to focus on the nature of the police interaction with the two boys prior to the collision and the appropriateness of the officers' decisions and actions.
'In particular, we are examining whether at any time the decisions and actions of the officers in the police vehicle constituted a pursuit. South Wales Police has continued to co-operate with our investigation.'
One video shows a police van following an e-bike less than two minutes before the accident that killed the two boys. This image shows the boys riding the e-bike
A marked police van then follows behind the bike about one second later
IOPC director David Ford: 'I wish to again extend my sympathies to the family and friends of Kyrees and Harvey, and to everyone who has felt the impactful loss of two young lives in Ely.
'The response from the community in helping our investigators has been very positive and I am extremely grateful for this assistance.
'In case there are still people with relevant information we have yet to speak to, we have placed witness appeal boards in the vicinity of the incident.
'We would urge anyone who believes they have useful information to come forward to us.
'We have also met with local community leaders and elected officials to explain our role and the remit of our investigation.
'As our investigation continues to progress, I would like to reassure everyone that we are focused on establishing precisely what happened in the run up to the tragic incident.
'Our work will remain impartial and completely independent of the police.'
A dozen officers were injured - but none seriously - during the riots on the night of the boys' deaths.
Cars were torched and paving slabs and fireworks were thrown at officers armed with riot shields, leaving 15 injured.
Footage from the night showed fireworks, rocks, paving slabs and even a door being hurled at police in riot gear.
Car windows were smashed and set on fire, while tyres exploded when rubbish and mattresses were thrown on them to fuel the flames.
South Wales Police said 17 males and three females, aged between 14 and 36, had been arrested on suspicion of riot.
All have since been released on police bail while the investigation continues, the force said.
Riot police in Ely, Cardiff joined emergency services at the scene of a crash after objects were thrown at officers
A car burns on Highmead Road during the riots in Cardiff on 22 May
One rioter stands on top of an overturned car as tyres were also exploded when rubbish and mattresses were thrown on them to fuel the flames during the riots
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