Counter-terror police have arrested two men in their 60s in connection with a ULEZ camera which was destroyed by an explosion triggered by an “IED” bomb.
The Metropolitan Police said a “low-sophistication improvised explosive device (IED)” damaged the camera in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, south-east London at about 6.45pm on December 6.
On Monday a 60-year-old man from the area was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, contrary to section two of the Explosive Substances Act 1883.
A 61-year-old man was arrested in Horsham, West Sussex, on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, and criminal damage, contrary to section one of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.
Both remained in custody at a south London police station and searches are under way at two addresses in Sidcup and Horsham, Scotland Yard said.
No-one was injured during the explosion but vehicles and a residential property were damaged. The camera, which was installed earlier in the day, was cut down about one and a half hours before it blew up.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, Commander for the Bexley area, said: “The explosion could easily have had far more harmful consequences and today’s arrests highlight just how seriously the Met is treating the incident.
“My local officers are continuing to work with and support the Counter Terrorism Command who are leading the investigation due to their specialism in dealing with incidents involving the use of explosives.”
After the incident a spokesman for mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “This grotesquely irresponsible behaviour puts both lives and property at risk.”
Mr Khan’s decision to expand the ULEZ area to cover the whole of London from August 29 sparked a surge in vandalism of the scheme’s cameras, which use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to identify vehicles.
People who drive in the ULEZ area in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are liable for a £12.50 daily fee.
