Met say ULEZ camera explosion was ‘deliberate act’
The Met have launched a criminal investigation after a ULEZ camera exploded on Wednesday night.
Police are describing the incident as a “deliberate act”, which was caused by a low-sophistication improvised explosive device (IED).
Police are not treating the explosion as an act of terrorism, but officers from the Counter Terrorism Command – which includes officers with specialist expertise in explosives – are leading the investigation.
Police, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) and firefighters from Eltham Fire Station responded to the scene in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, at around 7pm.
The ULEZ camera – which was installed on the road earlier that day – was cut down at about 5.15pm, police said. The explosion occurred around 90 minutes later.
Ulez camera”s electrical box explodes in sidcup! a massive blast which has damaged vehicles and property!
@MayorofLondon come and have a selfie pic.twitter.com/dUdQ8eOB2Y— Danny S (@dannydervito) December 6, 2023
A spokesman from the Met said: “We 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.”
A man who lives on the street – who asked not to be named – said: “I live 50 yards from the explosion. I was sitting at home when suddenly the whole house shook.
“We went out to have a look and the electric box had blown into someone’s van, a bus and a car behind the bus – there were two holes in one of the cars I could fit my fist through.”
The resident explained the explosion also damaged part of a brick wall next to where the camera had been installed.
He said: “If anyone was walking along they would have been killed. The bus driver was in the back of the fire engine being looked after – I think he was in shock.
“Everyone on the street had come out – we all thought our boilers had blown. It rocked every house.”
A spokeswoman from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said: “A ULEZ camera, car and bus were damaged as a result of the incident.
“One man was treated on scene by LAS crews.”
The man was discharged at the scene after being treated, the LAS said.
The explosion comes as tensions over ULEZ continue to rise across the capital.
This week, Gareth Johnson, Member of Parliament for Dartford in Kent, introduced a bill to parliament to give the government power to overturn the expansion of ULEZ.
The private member’s bill – a public bill introduced by MPs who are not government ministers – had its first reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, in July, the High Court ruled the ULEZ expansion was lawful after a case was brought against Sadiq Khan’s plans by Bromley, Bexley, Hillingdon and Harrow councils.
Met Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, Commander for the Bexley area said: “Thankfully, nobody was injured as a result of this incident, but it is extremely concerning that an explosive device seems to have been deliberately placed in a public place.
“This could have very easily resulted in members of the public being very seriously injured.”
A spokesman from the Met said: “Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation should call 101 quoting CAD 5819/06DEC.”
Pictured top: Image showing damage to a nearby van and the dismantled ULEZ camera following the explosion last night (Picture: @dannydervito)