A South Wales Police officer who was driving a marked van following Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16, before they died in an e-bike crash will face no charges, it has been confirmed.
The pair, who had been “best friends” since they were young children, died after a crash involving an electric bike in Ely, Cardiff, having been pursued by the police vehicle. The tragedy sparked riots and violent clashes with police officers in the area with force chiefs insisting no chase had taken place. The officer behind the of the police van was told at the time they faced criminal investigation for alleged dangerous driving.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service has today announced it will not take action – and it will offer to meet the families of the boys in the future to explain. Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division, said: “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the two teenagers following their tragic deaths in May 2023.
“Following a thorough and detailed review of the evidence in relation to a single allegation of dangerous driving in this case, we have decided that no criminal charges will be brought against a South Wales Police officer. We have concluded there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
“We fully understand this will be disappointing news for the families of both boys and will offer a meeting with them to explain our reasoning further.”
The families of Kyrees and Harvey can appeal the decision under the Victim’s Right of Review scheme. The IOPC previously said it had taken “a number of statements from local residents as the result of our house-to-house enquiries.”
They added: “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.”
In the wake of the sad tragedy, the community in Ely united to pay their respects to Harvey and Kyrees as they released hundreds of balloons – all shades of blue, the colour of Cardiff City Football Club – into the air.
Assistant Chief Constable Joanna Maal said: “South Wales Police acknowledges the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to bring criminal charges against a serving police officer following the deaths of Harvey Evans and Kyrees Sullivan in Ely in May 2023. Our thoughts, as ever, are with the families and friends of Harvey and Kyrees and all those affected by their tragic deaths.
“The Independent Office for Police Conduct continues to carry out an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the incident which took place in May 2023 and we await the findings in the hope it will provide answers to the many questions which have been raised about this case. While the IOPC investigation is ongoing we cannot make any further comment at this time.”
Get email updates with the day’s biggest stories
