Independent review to launch after May 2021 Swansea riots
The QC-led panel will investigate whether the violence in Mayhill and Waun Wen could have been predicted
An independent review is being launched, following violent disturbances in parts of Swansea in May 2021.
On 20 May, riots broke out in the Mayhill and Waun Wen areas.
A panel led by a QC, Prof Elwen Evans, will look at whether the incident could have been predicted, and how local agencies and authorities supported the community.
It will also take into account the community response, which saw locals join together in a huge clean-up operation.
Answering the questions the community have asked...
The review is being set up by South Wales Police, the Police Crime Commissioner, and Swansea Council. It's also supported by Welsh Government.
Council leader Rob Stewart said: "The unlawful disturbances we saw were shocking. They were the actions of yobs and criminals and were in no way a true reflection of the wonderful communities of Mayhill and Waun Wen - or of the majority of the people of Swansea.
"We took immediate action to support residents after the disturbances and we are still working side-by-side with families, young people, local councillors and community leaders in the recovery.
"However, it’s essential that we take the opportunity to answer the questions the community have asked and learn more about the background to this incident, what happened on the night and the immediate aftermath.
"Events like those we witnessed in Mayhill and Waun Wen are thankfully extremely rare and the independent review offers us an opportunity to learn lessons to further prevent incidents across Wales in the future."
"The review will examine what led up to that incident, whether it could have been predicted and the way in which agencies responded to support the local community..."
Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael added: "It is important for us to understand how and why these events happened in Mayhill, how each agency responded and to use the outcome of the learning review constructively for the future.
"It’s important to note that straight away the Council’s Leader and Chief Executive met myself as the Police & Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable and we agreed to work together to appoint an independent Chair for the Learning Review.
"The review will examine what led up to that incident, whether it could have been predicted and the way in which agencies responded to support the local community and restore confidence after the event. It is being established with the support of Welsh Government, who are providing finance to enable the review to take place.
"An independent legally qualified chair is being appointed, supported by two vice chairs; one with past experience of senior leadership in local government and the other with senior command experience within policing. This review will build on internal reviews already conducted by individual organisations into the event. It will also look at how members of the community responded and supported each other after the incident."
Councillor Rob Stewart added: “Working with the community it will assist us in developing long-term plans to continue to support the area in recovering from what happened.”
Residents directly affected by the disturbances as well as community groups and leaders will be invited to give feedback to the inquiry panel.