Speed camera cut down for second time

Police said those responsible had left the scene before officers arrived

A speed camera that was only recently replaced was among two cut down overnight in Cornwall.

In the latest attack on the county's speed traps, police said the speed camera at Perranarworthal had been cut down for a second time after it was first vandalised in October 2023 and replaced in November.

Another camera was also attacked on Tregolls Road in Truro at about 03:10 GMT, officers said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said those responsible had left the scene before officers arrived.

The police found speed cameras on Tregolls Road and Perranarworthal had been cut down

The cameras in Perranarworthal were installed in March 2023 after campaigning from residents.

Cornwall Councillor Peter Williams, who represents Perranarworthal, said: "It is absolutely horrendous why people go and do these things under the noses of where people live.

"These cameras were not put there on a whim - they were put there after years of gathering evidence and proof.

"I don't understand why these people can't see the cameras are there to protect everyone - including drivers."

He added the cameras would be reinstated as soon as possible.

The speed camera at Perranarworthal was cut down for a second time

The speed camera on Tregolls Road in Truro had more than 17,000 activations the year after it was installed, according to police.

Loic Rich, Truro City Councillor for the Tregolls Ward, said parents had complained about the dangers of speeding in the area.

He said: "Where the speed camera is, or was, it's used by parents taking their children to two primary schools ... it's one of the busiest crossings in Truro and there's been a number of quite bad accidents.

"For hundreds of people in that area, the speed cameras actually had a really positive effect on their quality of life. Parents feel safe letting their kids walk to school now.

"Whoever's cut down the speed camera, and I don't know why they've done that or what they're trying to achieve, I think it's a real shame."

Speed cameras have also been cut down at Trewennack.

The Perranarworthal speed camera was replaced in November

Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police, both members of the Vision Zero Road Safety partnership, said in a joint statement that they were disappointed to see "yet more mindless vandalism targeted at safety cameras".

They said: "These devices were installed at the wishes of the community to improve road safety in areas, which had previously experienced high speeds and several serious and fatal collisions.

“While these cameras are inactive, these communities no longer have the protection they were once afforded, which is really saddening.

“The cost of replacing these cameras is also a burden which has to be footed by the taxpayer, making these attacks all the more bizarre."