Counter-terror officers investigate Ulez camera explosion
- Published
The Met said it believes a ULEZ camera which had been installed earlier that day was cut down before the explosion
Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism officers are investigating an incident where a Ulez camera was blown up using a "low-sophistication improvised explosive device" (IED).
The explosion happened at about 18:45 GMT on Wednesday in Sidcup, south-east London, damaging vehicles and property.
The Met has said it is treating the blast as a "deliberate act", but not terrorism at this stage.
The remnants of an IED were recovered and have been sent for examination.
No arrests have been made.
In a statement, the force said it believed a Ulez camera which had been installed on Willersley Avenue earlier that day was cut down at about 17:15 GMT.
IED 'seems deliberate'
The Met said an explosion occurred roughly 90 minutes later and police attended the scene alongside London Fire Brigade.
The force added the explosion caused further damage to the camera, as well as to nearby vehicles and a residential property.
Investigators say they are "keeping an open mind as to whether or not there is a connection between the camera being cut down and the planting of the explosive device", and officers are "carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries in and around the area".
Det Ch Supt Trevor Lawry said the incident could "very easily" have "seriously injured" people
A spokesman for London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, said: "This grotesquely irresponsible behaviour puts both lives and property at risk.
"Police are rightly investigating this dangerous and reckless act."
Det Ch Supt Trevor Lawry said it was "extremely concerning" the IED "seemed to have been deliberately placed in a public place".
"This could have very easily resulted in members of the public being very seriously injured," he added.
"If you have any information that could assist our investigation, then I would urge you to get in touch immediately."
The Met has also advised anyone who sees suspicious activity or a suspicious device on or nearby to a Ulez camera to call 999.
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