Man, 62, charged with causing explosion of ULEZ camera

A 62-year-old man has been charged with causing the explosion of a newly-installed ULEZ camera in Sidcup last year.

Kevin Rees, of Harcourt Avenue, Sidcup, was charged with causing an explosion likely to endanger life, or cause serious injury to property.

He was also charged with three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ court on Monday.

Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, who leads policing in the Bexley area, said: “We know that this incident caused much concern locally at the time. 

“Officers have continued to support the investigation team as they have diligently gone about gathering evidence in this case, working closely with the CPS, which has led to these charges being brought.

“The criminal justice process must now run its course and I would therefore ask people not to speculate further as we await the conclusion of this case at court.

An investigation was launched on December 6, after police, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) and firefighters from Eltham Fire Station were called to reports of an explosion 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.

The two incidents – the criminal damage to the ULEZ camera and the explosion – are not being linked at this time, police said.

On December 18, 2023, Rees was arrested by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command in Sidcup on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property. He was released under investigation and has now been charged.

The same day, Stephen Harwood-Stamper, 61, of Church Road, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property.

Harwood-Stamper was released from investigation in relation to the explosion incident. But he was investigated in relation to the alleged criminal damage to the ULEZ camera which took place earlier on the same day.

Harwood-Stamper has been charged with criminal damage and using a false plate whilst driving.

He is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on November 27.

Pictured top: Image showing damage to a nearby van and the dismantled ULEZ camera following the explosion (Picture: @dannydervito)