Man admits urging others to damage Ulez cameras

There are now more than 3,700 cameras installed around London to enforce the Ultra Low Emission Zone, Transport for London says

A man has pleaded guilty to encouraging people to damage Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) cameras in messages he posted on social media.

Joseph Nicolls, 43, published Facebook posts which were capable of "encouraging or assisting others" to carry out "criminal damage to or theft" of the cameras, according to court documents.

He also admitted sending a threatening email to a firm that supplies the cameras.

Nicolls, of Foots Cray High Street, Sidcup appeared at Woolwich Crown Court, where he will return for sentencing next month.

Nearly 1,000 Ulez cameras were vandalised in the seven months following the scheme's latest expansion in August 2023

The email Nicholls sent to Yunex Traffic in May 2023 intended to cause "distress or anxiety", the court was told.

The company's infrastructure and technology have been "at the core" of the Ulez, as well as similar schemes in Birmingham and Portsmouth, according to its website.

Ulez infrastructure was repeatedly vandalised after the scheme was expanded to cover the whole of Greater London in August 2023.

It meant drivers of some older cars that do not meet minimum emissions standards have since been required to pay a £12.50 daily fee to drive in the zone, or face a fine.

Videos have been posted online showing people described as Blade Runners cutting the cameras' wires or completely removing the devices.