**Council Tenants in Ely Warned of Eviction Threats Following Riot-Related Offences**
A number of council tenants in the Ely area of Cardiff have been issued with formal warnings from the local authority, alerting them to the possibility of losing their homes should any household member be convicted in relation to the disturbances that shook the area in 2023. The letters, sent to seventeen households earlier this month, represent the council’s first step in a potential legal process that could result in eviction, reflecting the wider tensions and consequences stemming from the tragic events that unfolded in the community two years prior.
The council’s notifications follow liaison with South Wales Police, who informed the authority of various residents’ arrests and charges linked to the Ely riots. These disturbances were themselves a dramatic response to the tragic deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, who lost their lives in an e-bike crash in May 2023. Their deaths triggered significant unrest in the community, as hundreds gathered, leading to confrontations with police and widespread damage throughout the neighbourhood.
According to the local authority, engaging in offences such as riotous behaviour within the vicinity of council homes constitutes a breach of tenancy agreements. Cardiff Council has cited this as the basis for their current action, reminding tenants that involvement in anti-social or criminal behaviour can have serious implications for their housing status. The possession notices are technically warnings at this stage, rather than immediate eviction orders, but they make clear the steps the council is willing to take to address such breaches.
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council explained that this move is standard procedure according to the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Policy and aligns with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. The representative clarified, “The issue of a possession notice is an initial legal step. It does not automatically result in eviction, but alerts tenants to the possible consequences of serious breaches of their occupation contract.”
Worries among residents are palpable. One tenant, speaking on condition of anonymity as she sought legal advice, criticised the timing and impact of the warnings. “Why are they sending this two years after the unrest when my son won’t even face court until later this year? It feels like the whole community is being punished,” she remarked, voicing concern for her family’s future.
Housing charities have also raised concerns about the council’s approach. Ruth Power, Chief Executive of Shelter Cymru, reported a rise in calls from distressed tenants. She observed, “We are worried that householders now live in fear of homelessness, often through no fault of their own but due to the actions of a single individual.” The organisation continues to offer advice and support to those affected.
Cardiff Council stressed that any further steps would only be considered after each legal case’s resolution and would take into account the details of each situation. The council’s communication included contact details for antisocial behaviour officers and advice on seeking independent legal counsel, underscoring their stated ambition to balance community safety with fairness for tenants.
The scale of the original unrest was notable. Police charged 42 individuals in connection with the riots, which saw violent scenes and attacks on law enforcement officers. The fatal e-bike crash at the centre of the incident led to an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, though no criminal charges were brought against the officers involved.
Highlighting a broader context, Cardiff Council disclosed that since 2020, more than 300 similar notices have been served across the city, yet only a fraction—31 in total—have led to actual eviction. This, the council argues, indicates that warning notices are fundamentally about early intervention and community reassurance, rather than an automatic route to homelessness for those involved.
The council concluded by reiterating its intention to protect both individual tenants and the wider community from anti-social behaviour. Each possession case, they emphasised, will be considered carefully with regard to all available evidence and the needs of affected households—reflecting the delicate balance between upholding community standards and safeguarding resident welfare in a city still feeling the aftershocks of the 2023 events.