Ulez: 171 reports of vandalised cameras logged by Met Police in two weeks

The Met Police has received more than 500 reports of crimes relating to Ulez cameras since 1 April

There have been 171 reports of crimes relating to Ulez cameras logged since 17 August, the Met Police has said.

The BBC previously revealed that more than 300 cameras had been vandalised between April and mid-August.

The actual number of cameras affected is likely to be even higher as one report can represent attacks on multiple cameras.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan's Ultra Low Emission Zone expanded across all of the capital's boroughs on 29 August.

The Metropolitan Police told the BBC: "To date, Met investigations have led to the arrest of two individuals, one charged and bailed for trial to June 2024 and the other [case] discontinued by the CPS."

It added that the force "continues to monitor anti-Ulez protests, as we do for all potential public order matters, to consider if bespoke policing plans are required".

MP for Sutton and Cheam and London minister Paul Scully has written to Mr Khan urging him to remove the Ulez camera in front of the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, which has been targeted by vandals.

He told Mr Khan the camera was "serving as a prominent lightning rod towards those who are willing to take the law into their own hands".

He added that the location of the camera was aimed at intentionally catching motorists "venturing little more than a hundred metres into the boundary to visit loved ones, receive treatment or attend their place of work".

'Vandalism will not stop Ulez'

The implementation of the expanded clean-air zone has been controversial, with some protests attracting between 200 and 300 people.

As of mid-August, TfL had installed 1,900 cameras in outer London and there are now more than 3,400 cameras across the Ulez.

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A Transport for London spokesperson said: "Criminal damage to Ulez cameras puts the perpetrators at risk of prosecution and life-changing injuries, while simultaneously risking the safety of the public.

"Camera vandalism will not stop the Ulez operating London-wide. All vandalised cameras are replaced as soon as possible."

Most cameras damaged are in outer London

Unofficial data gathered by a group of people calling themselves Julie's Ulez map, who are opposed to the expansion, shows that out of the 1,762 cameras in outer London, about 750 have been damaged or stolen.

Data from the map suggests that across Greater London, almost one in four cameras are damaged or missing.

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