Rioters burn and overturn cars and hurl fireworks and paving stones at police on Cardiff estate

Thugs clad in balaclavas have set cars on fire, thrown fireworks at riot police and charged at officers on the streets of Cardiff in a night of chaos. 

Hundreds of people brought violence and mayhem to a residential street in the suburb of Ely on Monday night as they faced off against officers from South Wales Police.

Footage from the scene showed thugs launching fireworks, rocks, paving slabs and even a door at the police before charging at them, with officers from the force charging back at them.

The vandals also smashed car windows before turning the vehicles onto their sides and setting them on fire, with the tyres exploding when rubbish and mattresses were thrown on them to fuel the flames.

The flames from the fires reached up to 15ft high in the air, and as police blocked off the road in the area, a helicopter could be seen and heard flying overhead. 

The violence took place after a ‘serious’ crash in Snowden Road at around 6pm, according to South Wales Police. It is not clear what has sparked the violence, but the force made arrests in the early hours of today.

Riot police with dogs have been deployed at the scene of a serious road crash

Rubbish has also reportedly been set on fire at the scene on Snowden Road in Ely

A car burns on Highmead Road during riots following a serious road crash in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Cardiff 

Riot police in Ely, Cardiff joined emergency services at the scene of a crash after objects were thrown at officers

The rioting took place in Snowden Road hours after a serious crash in the area on Monday night

One resident of Highmead Road, who did not want to be named, said: ‘Enough is enough now. This has gone beyond.

‘When people are making fun of what’s happening on social media it’s crossed a line.

‘This is our neighbourhood and those doing this are just kids. It needs to stop.’

Footage being livestreamed on YouTube showed gangs of youths attacking riot officers with bricks, paving stones, rocks, fireworks, doors and even a toilet in shocking scenes of violence. 

Amid the chaos, a member of the public was attacked due to rioters thinking they were an undercover officer, according to one of the senior officers at the scene.

At one point some of rioters charged at police who were stood in a line at one end of the road while throwing fireworks at the officers. 

The thugs also targeted cars parked on the street, smashing windows with rocks and stamping the windscreens.

The vandals then overturned some of the cars and set them on fire, with at least three vehicles left in flames on the residential road.

There were cheers from some in the crowd with some rioters heard saying ‘light it up’ when the infernos took hold. Others were seen throwing bags of rubbish and mattresses on to the flames.

Men were seen ripping off their shirts and covering their faces with them, as fires raged in the street.

Tyres and other parts of the cars exploded as they burned, with one such fireball spitting out flaming debris, which landed on a car parked in a driveway, forced the owner to pour water on it to stop the inferno spreading. 

A police helicopter, riot police with shields and full protective gear, and dogs were all at the scene.

Police used a loudspeaker from the helicopter to tell those at the scene to disperse and go home. 

Police, including mounted officers on horseback, were seen outside Ely police station in the early hours of Tuesday after suggestions it could be targeted. 

Shortly before 3am, rioters moved down Highmead Road in Ely, following by police who were trying to disperse them. But the rioters continued to throw missiles and set cars alight.

The remains of a burned out car is seen in the middle of Snowden Road in Cardiff after riots erupted

Several cars were smashed up and set on fire, with at least one exploding

Riot police with shields and full protective gear were seen in the street

Multiple police vans have been pictured at the scene with scores of riot officers

A topless, masked man is pictured standing in front of riot police in Cardiff last night

Rioters were seen hurling missiles, including bricks, at riot police

A person stands in front of the flames burning in an overturned car in Snowden Road, Ely

Police cordon off access to the scene of a serious road crash on Snowden Road on Tuesday morning as they face off protesters

Police officers in riot gear stand on Howell Road, near the scene of the crash, in Ely on Monday night

A red car was seen being engulfed by flames during a live stream

Police officers on Wilson Road in Cardiff as they face a ‘large scale disorder’ at the scene

Dozens of riot police have been filmed at the scene where fires are being lit

A thug was seen kicking in the windscreen of a car as riot police watched on

The violence began on Monday evening after a ‘serious’ crash on Snowden Road shortly after 6pm.

In a statement South Wales Police said: ‘Shortly after 6pm, we received a report of a serious road traffic collision on Snowden Road. 

‘Police responded to this collision, which had already occurred when officers arrived. We need to ensure that this evenings collision is effectively investigated.

‘Officers remain on scene to manage a large scale disorder. Again, we urge anyone involved or watching to leave immediately. We understand the concern from local residents and we ask you to stay indoors.’

In an update at 1.10am, the force said: ‘Police are continuing to monitor and respond to disorder in Ely. A number of vehicles have been set alight. Arrests are being made. A large police presence remains in the area.’

Earlier on Monday evening police had said they were attempting to ‘de-escalate ongoing disorder’ and at 8.20pm confirmed emergency services were at the scene of the crash. 

Officers blocked off the street between Wilson Road and Jackson Road and urged people to avoid the area, although hundreds of people, including parents with young children and pet dogs, were spotted at the scene.  

Police were called to the scene of a serious road collision earlier this evening

Crowds were seen gathering as the scenes of destruction unfolded

Pictures from earlier this evening show a police car with a smashed in windscreen

South Wales Police tweeted shortly after: ‘There is now a large number of officers working to manage the collision, but also to de-escalate ongoing disorder at the scene. 

‘We urge anyone involved to leave the scene immediately and ask local residents to stay away while the matter is brought to a safe conclusion.’ 

An hour later, police said emergency services remained at the scene and reiterated the importance of people staying away from the area. 

The force added: ‘Please avoid speculation – we will bring you the latest details as soon as we can – all of our updates must be factual.’ 

Pictures from earlier this evening show a police car with a smashed in windscreen. 

Police have not given any details on what took place at the ‘serious’ crash earlier. 

South Wales Police earlier said following the crash that a number of officers were working to ‘manage the collision, but also to de-escalate ongoing disorder.’

‘We urge anyone involved to leave the scene immediately and ask local residents to stay away while the matter is brought to a safe conclusion.’

MailOnline has contacted South Wales Police for further comment.