Police have said 27 people aged 15 to 44 have been charged with offences after widespread disorder in the Mayhill area of Swansea in the spring of 2021.
The 27 are charged with the offence of riot and two of them are also accused of arson with intent to endanger life or being reckless as to whether a life of another would be endangered. They are due to appear in Swansea magistrates court between 2 and 4 March.
Cars were set on fire and bricks were hurled at houses, leaving people fearing for their lives.
Ch Supt Trudi Meyrick, policing commander for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said: “Following a thorough investigation by local detectives, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) received files of evidence against these individuals. After detailed consideration by the CPS they have authorised the charges of riot and arson with intent to endanger life be brought.
“The investigation team were resolute in their commitment to fully investigate the disorder that happened that night; residents of Mayhill were subjected to terrible scenes of disorder which caused serious harm and distress to the community.
“The judicial process will now run its course and we await the outcome of that process. In the meantime our local neighbourhood policing team continues to work in partnership with agencies and the local community to tackle the issues that matter most to the residents of Mayhill and surrounding areas.”
The chief crown prosecutor, Jenny Hopkins, added: “Criminal proceedings are active and all the defendants have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
An independent report published last week found that the police left residents “in danger, at risk and unprotected” for a “protracted period” during the disturbance.
Jeremy Vaughan, the chief constable of South Wales police, apologised for his force failing to act quickly enough.
The review highlighted that scores of officers were in the area but stood by. It also said that one officer in charge that night twice asked for extra police as backup but was refused.
It highlighted one example of a vulnerable person whose life was thought to be in danger. Officers with shields were deployed but withdrew for their own safety, leaving the person and others like him “lost”, the report said.
It concluded: “Significant failings are evident. Currently, available evidence strongly suggests failings in command structures and decisions, operational decisions and tactics, and communications.”
