Ulez cameras have been attacked nearly 1,000 times in just seven months, shocking figures reveal.
Sadiq Khan’s expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to cover the whole of Greater London, meaning people who drive in the area with a polluting vehicle must pay a £12.50 daily fee, has been met with anger by affected motorists.
There has been widespread evidence of cameras and vans becoming the target of activists as they are sprayed with paint or even toppled in an effort to halt the tax on drivers, which came in on August 29.
Today, the Met Police said there have been 987 crimes relating to the cameras in the capital, including 220 reports of them being stolen and 767 being damaged.
The force also confirmed there have been five arrests and two charges in relation to the attacks.
They include a 52-year-old man arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a 45-year-old man held on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed, both of whom have been bailed until December.
A 44-year-old man was also arrested and charged with criminal damage in May but had his case discontinued by the CPS the following month.
Joseph Nicolls, 42, of Foots Cray High Street, Sidcup, was charged with criminal damage, malicious communications and handling stolen goods, as well as aiding or abetting the destruction of, or damage to, property valued over £5,000.
He has been bailed ahead of a trial at Woolwich Crown Court on 10 June 2024.
Stephen Nunn, 39, of West Wickham, Bromley, was charged on Saturday, 28 October with criminal damage.
He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 November.
It comes after it emerged last month that wardens policing the Ulez are wearing balaclavas to hide their faces after weeks of clashes with Blade Runners activists who aim to sabotage the scheme.
Vans with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) have been rolled out by the London mayor, in an attempt to curb the rise in Ulez-related crimes.
But enforcement officers are now donning balaclavas, sunglasses, caps and dark clothing in a bid to conceal their identities as they face an increase in abuse from angry residents and protestors.
Meanwhile, the mounting cost of the scheme remains under wraps as Transport for London refuse to reveal how much they are having to spend replacing destroyed equipment used to implement it.
They claim disclosing the cost would be a risk to public safety as someone may be hurt in the act of destruction.
Slamming the move, Taxpayers’ Alliance – who campaign against wasteful governmental spending – said: ‘Taxpayers deserve to know the full cost of Ulez.’
Since August 29, Ulez has been expanded from the North and South Circular roads to cover the whole of Greater London.
People who drive in the zone with a polluting vehicle and fail to pay the £12.50 daily fee are initially being sent warning letters.
But in the coming weeks TfL is expected to start issuing rule-breakers with £180 fines, which could rise to £250. If paid within 14 days, it is reduced to £90.
A Scotland Yard spokesperson said today: ‘The Met continues to treat criminal activity in relation to ULEZ seriously and has deployed considerable resources to our operation.
‘Where there are possible lines of enquiry, local investigators will follow up using a range of investigative approaches including CCTV trawls, witness searches and an assessment of forensic opportunities.’
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
