Eight people have been arrested, including one in Northwood, in a Met Police operation targeting those conspiring to destroy Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) cameras.
In the early hours of Wednesday, July 2, officers executed warrants at addresses in London, Windsor and on the Isle of Sheppey.
The London arrests took place in Northwood, Uxbridge, Ickenham, Sutton and Eltham.
Six men and two women were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
One of the men is also alleged to have been involved in threatening and harassing the team sent to repair a damaged camera.
At the time of writing, those arrested remain in custody. Searches are ongoing at their addresses but officers have already recovered items related to the alleged offending.
A number of ULEZ cameras have been vandalised in recent years, particularly since the zone’s expansion in 2023. Transport for London (TfL) has previously declined to release information regarding the number of sabotaged cameras and the cost of replacing them.
In a response to previous Freedom of Information requests, TfL stated that they are not obliged to supply the information as it is subject to a statutory exception due to regulations regarding public safety and the course of justice. They also stated that the release of this information would “lead to an increase in incidents of vandalism to our cameras by encouraging other like-minded individuals to do the same”.
Superintendent Paul Thomas, from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “There is a big difference between lawful protest and plotting to destroy or seriously damage property.
“Some may think of this sort of behaviour as a victimless crime, but when cameras are damaged or destroyed, it creates dangerous hazards, risking collisions on the road in addition to disruption for motorists and residents.
“We take these offences very seriously and officers will continue working closely with Transport for London and other partners to identify and build a case against those responsible.
“Today’s arrests are a significant development in what has been a long and complex investigation that is not yet over.
“I would appeal to anyone who has information about plans to target ULEZ cameras to come forward.”
If you have information, please call the police on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Photo shows a previous incident of vandalism. Photo credit: HRH Princess Kendall Aminat X
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