A police officer will not face criminal charges after following two teenagers in a van before they died in an e-bike crash two years ago.

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in May 2023 when they crashed on a Sur-Ron bike minutes after CCTV captured them being followed by a police van in Ely, Cardiff.

Tensions between locals and police at the scene led to a riot lasting several hours, during which time dozens of officers were injured, property was damaged and cars were set alight.

Previously, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the driver of the police van had been told they were being criminally investigated for dangerous driving after being served with a gross misconduct notice.

Another officer, a passenger in the police van, was also previously served with a gross misconduct notice.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not bring criminal charges against the South Wales Police officer.

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 that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

“We fully understand that this will be disappointing news for the families of both boys and will offer a meeting with them to explain our reasoning further.”

The decision is subject to the Victim’s Right of Review scheme which allows a victim or their families the ability to challenge the decision.

The IOPC said it submitted a file of evidence to the CPS to consider an offence of dangerous driving for the driver of a police van.

IOPC director David Ford said: “First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families of Kyrees and Harvey and all those affected by their untimely deaths.

It was for the CPS to consider whether to bring any criminal charge and we note their decision announced today

“We know that the boys’ deaths have had a deep impact on the local community and I want to thank everyone again for their patience while we carried out our detailed investigative work.

“We previously informed the families of our decision to make a referral to the CPS and we continue to keep them updated, as we have throughout our investigation.

“It was only after we had thoroughly and carefully analysed all the evidence, that we made a referral to the CPS, when we had decided there was an indication an officer may have committed a criminal offence in relation to the manner of their driving, and that it was appropriate for the matter to be considered by the CPS.

“It was for the CPS to consider whether to bring any criminal charge and we note their decision announced today.

“We are finalising our position over any potential disciplinary proceedings in relation to the driver of the police van and will provide a further update once final decisions have been made.”

The watchdog said an additional investigation into family complaints against South Wales Police, which covered a number of areas including the families’ treatment at the scene of the incident, is close to concluding.