An explosion which destroyed a ULEZ camera and damaged nearby properties and vehicles went off just hours after the device was installed, police say. The Metropolitan Police have now begun an investigation, and say they are not treating it as terrorism-related.
Officers say the incident, which happened in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, at 6.45pm yesterday, was “deliberate” and that a criminal probe is now underway. They say a low-sophistication improvised device was planted at the scene – and that fortunately, no one was hurt.
“At this early stage, the incident is not being treated as terrorism, but officers from the Counter Terrorism Command, which includes those with specialist expertise in explosives, are leading the investigation, working in close liaison with local officers in the area,” the statement from the force said.
Det Ch Supt Trevor Lawry, a 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. Because of the seriousness of this incident, we are making urgent enquiries to try and identify anyone involved, and officers with specialist expertise and capability from our Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation.
“This was an extremely dangerous incident that could have resulted in innocent members of the public being injured or worse. If you have any information that could assist our investigation, then I would urge you to get in touch immediately.”
When the alarm was sounded, police and the London Fire Brigade attended. Police say they suspect the ULEZ camera was cut down at around 5.15pm – and that the explosion happened 90 minutes later.
The Met says it is 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.
“The remains of an IED was recovered by officers and have been sent to a specialist team for urgent forensic examination”, the force added. “Officers are also carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries in and around the area.”
Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ scheme has been met with significant controversey since it was launched earlier this year, with vigilantes tearing down the devices in protest.
From April to October this year Metropolitan Police recorded 987 crimes relating to ULEZ cameras, including 220 reports of cameras being stolen and 767 cameras being damaged.
At this stage, there have been no arrests made in connection with this incident, and enquiries remain ongoing.
The force continued: “Although this is being treated as an isolated incident, we would also advise anyone who sees suspicious activity or a suspicious device on or nearby to a ULEZ camera should not approach and should contact police immediately by calling 999.”
Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation should call 101 quoting CAD 5819/06DEC.
