Police are investigating an increase in vandalism attacks on the UK’s ULEZ and speed cameras in recent months.
Crime against cameras has risen following protests against the charges being levied at motorists who break the rules.
© eyematter / Shutterstock
London’s Metropolitan Police have recorded multiple instances of ULEZ camera vandalism in the capital, with more than 1,000 cameras being targeted by criminal attacks.
It’s not only London where cameras are being trashed. Speed camera vandalism has long been an issue, but it’s spreading out of the capital into unexpected areas, including normally tranquil Cornwall.
Now police and camera operators are devising new ways of making the cameras vandal-proof to avoid the hefty costs of repairing them.
ULEZ camera vandalism
Ultra Low Emission Zone cameras are vital to monitor traffic levels in the capital. Managed by Transport for London, they have been an unpopular addition to the City’s highways.
Cameras record the registration plates of vehicles travelling through ULEZ areas to check whether they meet the stringent environmental standards required by law. The data recorded is cross-referenced with a detailed vehicle database to find out whether the cars reach the emissions standard.
The driver will be charged £12.50 a day if they errantly drive through a ULEZ zone. For the average commuter working Monday to Friday in the capital, this will add an extra £62.50 a week to their travel expenses.
The Met Police revealed that in the seven months up to the end of November 2023, a record 987 offences were committed against the ULEZ cameras. This included 767 cameras being vandalised and 220 being stolen. Police say only three people have been charged so far.
The total cost of repairing or replacing all the damaged cameras has been estimated at a massive £9.8 million.
The Metropolitan Police say they treat damage to the cameras “seriously” and are deploying measures to stop the attacks. They are investigating by trawling through CCTV footage, appealing for witnesses and using forensic means.
TfL is developing new “armour-plated” protection for the ULEZ cameras. A common issue has been the wiring getting ripped out, so plans are in the pipeline to add a sturdy steel case to surround each camera.
Speed camera vandalism
In Cornwall, residents and motorists were shocked to see damaged speed cameras in several locations recently, including at an accident blackspot. Police said they had been felled overnight by vandals using a power tool.
The attacks began in October 2023, when a camera monitoring a 30-mph section of the A39 at Perranarworthal, between Falmouth and Truro, was taken out of action in dramatic fashion. Vandals using power tools sheared the bottom of the metal pole holding the camera, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
The route is notorious for serious and even fatal road traffic accidents. Cameras were installed there in January 2023 at an accident blackspot, where ten people have lost their lives in recent years.
Why are vandals attacking cameras?
The issue of ULEZ and speed cameras is controversial. Although they have been installed to protect the environment and aid public safety respectively, they are hugely unpopular.
Some have expressed approval of the acts of vandalism, claiming motorists are being unfairly targeted to make money for government coffers.
A Facebook group set up specifically for people who oppose ULEZ cameras has attracted more than 40,000 members. There are celebrations online every time a news story reveals another case of vandalism!
However, despite their unpopularity, it’s a criminal offence to vandalise or steal the cameras. The police also emphasise that they are erected for public safety and not to make money out of motorists.
Drivers who wish to avoid ULEZ and speed cameras on their daily commute, or when they drive for leisure purposes, can always devise a camera-free route on their sat nav system – but we would always recommend you stick to the speed limits.
If you drive an older car that doesn’t have built-in satellite navigation, a retrofitting specialist such as Autologics can transform your car into the 21st century.
