The mayor’s office in London expressed strong disapproval towards a reckless attack on a camera used to enforce the city’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez). The damage was caused by what seemed to be a homemade bomb, putting lives in danger.
There was no immediate response from Downing Street or the Home Office regarding the incident. No 10 stated that it could not provide a comment due to an ongoing police investigation, but it did denounce criminal behavior in general.
The Metropolitan police are leading the investigation into the explosion that occurred on Wednesday evening in Sidcup, south-east London. However, they are not considering it to be an act of terrorism.
Images shared on social media by local residents displayed a significant indentation on a van, presumably caused by debris from the explosion, as well as harm to the window frame of a neighboring residence. Thankfully, no individuals were harmed.
A representative for Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, stated: “This incredibly irresponsible behavior endangers both lives and property. The police are properly looking into this hazardous and careless action.”
A representative for Rishi Sunak stated that they were aware of the incident being reported, but did not want to interfere with the ongoing investigation.
In August, the expansion of Ulez cameras to all London boroughs has led to a string of vandalism cases. This expansion was met with opposition from Sunak’s government, as well as Conservative members in City Hall and numerous Tory MPs.
According to the Metropolitan Police, a report in November revealed that nearly 1,000 crimes have been reported involving stolen or damaged cameras in the last seven months.
Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for next year’s mayoral election, and a vehement opponent of the expansion, said: “These allegations are very serious, and I fully condemn vandalism of any kind. The best way to protest against Sadiq Khan’s unfair Ulez expansion is at the ballot box next May.”
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police, an improvised explosive device of low complexity caused damage to a camera on Willersley Avenue in Sidcup at approximately 6:45pm on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the camera was installed but then later removed and appeared to have been destroyed.
Trevor Lawry, the Deputy Chief of Staff, expressed his deep concern over an explosive device that appears to have been intentionally left in a public area. Such a reckless act could have caused severe harm to innocent individuals.
The Ulez program’s goal is to enhance air quality by implementing a £12.50 fee per day for vehicles that do not meet emission requirements when entering the designated area. This is regulated through a system of cameras that recognize license plates.
Source: theguardian.com
