Terror cops arrest two over London ULEZ camera explosions

18 December 2023 , 17:42

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Police at the scene (Image: Grant Falvey/LNP)

Two men have been arrested by counter-terror police who have been investigating the explosion of a ULEZ camera.

The Metropolitan Police said a “low-sophistication improvised explosive device (IED)” damaged the ULEZ (ultra low emission zone) camera in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, south-east London at about 6.45pm on December 6.

On Monday a 60-year-old man from the area was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, contrary to section two of the Explosive Substances Act 1883. A 61-year-old man was arrested in Horsham, West Sussex, on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, and criminal damage, contrary to section one of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The explosion took place in Sidcup (Grant Falvey/LNP)

Both remained in custody at a south London police station and searches are under way at two addresses in Sidcup and Horsham, Scotland Yard said. No-one was injured during the explosion but vehicles and a residential property were damaged. The camera, which was installed earlier in the day, was cut down about one and a half hours before it blew up.

A cut down ULEZ camera with wires sticking out of the ground at the location of the camera box (Grant Falvey/LNP)

Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, Commander for the Bexley area, said: “The explosion could easily have had far more harmful consequences and today’s arrests highlight just how seriously the Met is treating the incident. My local officers are continuing to work with and support the Counter Terrorism Command who are leading the investigation due to their specialism in dealing with incidents involving the use of explosives.”

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A black box with a hole in it at the location in Sidcup (Grant Falvey/LNP)

A statement from the Met Police read: "The arrests today are a significant step forward in this investigation. Nevertheless the Counter Terrorism Command is continuing to appeal for the public to share any information that may help the investigation. In particular, we are keen that people who drove or cycled on Willersley Avenue between 16:30hrs and 19:30hrs on 6 December share with the investigation team any camera footage they may have."

After the incident a spokesman for mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “This grotesquely irresponsible behaviour puts both lives and property at risk.” Mr Khan’s decision to expand the ULEZ area to cover the whole of London from August 29 has sparked a surge in vandalism of the scheme’s cameras, which use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to identify vehicles. People who drive in the ULEZ area in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are liable for a £12.50 daily fee.

Tim Hanlon