Damaged ULEZ camera. Pic: AJ Simpson

Ultra Low Emission Zone traffic cameras have been vandalised in Sydenham and Bell Green, according to the Lewisham Council.

 “This criminal behaviour will not be tolerated – it puts pedestrians and road users at risk and wastes public money,” the Council said in a Facebook post.

“These incidents have been reported to the police and we would encourage anybody with information in relation to these incidents to contact the police in the usual manner.

“We are also liaising with Transport for London regarding the reinstatement of the lights, signals and cameras.”

Social media disapproval

Others have used the Council’s posts on Facebook and X to express their disapproval of the ULEZ cameras.

One Twitter user, SunnyD1865, wrote: “[D]on’t put cameras that nobody wants on them then, that’s an even better way to not waste public money.”

On Facebook, Rick Comfort commented: “Imagine councils on the verge of bankruptcy preaching to their boss (us) about ‘wasting public money’ after the ULEZ scheme was applied without any public consultation or vote! Costing billions during a cost of living crisis and worst inflation seen since the last world wars!”

The ULEZ scheme was put in place to improve air quality in London and plate recognition cameras have been in operation since August, 2023 to spot vehicles that don’t meet ULEZ emission standards. If a vehicle does not meet these standards, the vehicle owner needs to pay a £12.50 daily charge to drive within the zone.

Anti-ULEZ protestors have been vandalising and stealing these cameras across the London boroughs since. The latest figures released by the Metropolitan Police showed from April 1 to October 31, 2023, nearly 1,000 crimes relating to ULEZ cameras being damaged or stolen were reported.