In a shocking incident that unfolded last week, a camera enforcing London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in Sidcup, south-east London, fell victim to what authorities describe as a “grotesquely irresponsible” attack.
The device, believed to be a homemade bomb, caused damage to the camera, raising concerns about public safety.
The London mayor’s office swiftly condemned the act, saying, “This grotesquely irresponsible behaviour puts both lives and property at risk. Police are rightly investigating this dangerous and reckless act.”
While Downing Street and the Home Office refrained from immediate comments, citing an ongoing police inquiry, a No 10 spokesperson condemned the incident as part of a broader stance against criminality.
The Metropolitan police, although not treating the explosion as a terrorist act, has entrusted counter-terror officers with leading the investigation.
Photographs circulating on social media revealed a significant dent in a van and damage to a nearby house’s window frame, both seemingly caused by debris from the explosion. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Since the expansion of the Ulez to cover all London boroughs in August, incidents of vandalism against Ulez cameras have been on the rise, with nearly 1,000 recorded crimes related to theft or damage, as reported by the Met in November.
A statement from the Met police highlighted that a “low-sophistication improvised explosive device” had targeted a camera in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup. The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 pm on Wednesday, posing a serious risk to public safety.
The Ulez scheme, aimed at improving air quality, imposes a daily fee of £12.50 on vehicles failing to meet emissions standards, with enforcement carried out by a network of number-plate recognition cameras.
Authorities are treating the incident with utmost seriousness, emphasising the potential harm it posed to the public.
[Image via Shutterstock]