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Now furious anti-Ulez activists spray cameras with insulating foam to disable them as police crackdown continues
19 September 2023, 13:59
Ulez cameras in west London have been left covered in insulating foam as vandals continue to protest against Sadiq Khan's new policy.
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On the same day Ulez cameras were covered in insulating foam in Hillingdon, one protestor held up a sign saying 'Ulez camera' while sat on a Transport for London (TfL) van in east London.
The protestor garnered support among anti-Ulez activists online, with one person commenting: "Let's hear it for the lad sitting on the ladders blocking the Ulez camera on Rainham Road.
"This made my morning power to the people."
From August 29, drivers without Ulez-compliant cars have been forced to pay £12.50 every day they drive.
The Mayor of London previously said that expanding the Ulez was "one of the hardest decisions of my life" but said he wanted to be "on the right side of history" when it comes to tackling the climate crisis.
Read More: Where are the Ulez cameras and how do they work?
There had been criticism of Sadiq Khan's original scrappage scheme, which originally only applied to people with Ulez complaint cars who relied on the state for financial support. For example, those on benefits.
But just before the Ulez was expanded, the scrappage scheme was extended to everyone with a non-Ulez compliant car.
It followed a High Court ruling which declared Mr Khan's Ulez expansion was lawful following a legal challenge by five councils, both in and outside of London.
Anti-Ulez sentiment has continued to grow regardless, with cameras damaged across the city.
It is not only Ulez cameras that have been targeted by vandals, but also vans that are 'used by TfL to detected whether cars meet London's emissions standards'.
CRAYFORD: A ULEZ camera van was spray painted and had both rear tyres punctured in Maiden Lane yesterday. Another in Cray Road, Foots Cray, had its windscreen damaged. Sadiq Khan has deployed 20 of the vans with ANPR cameras to make drivers stick to his rules or pay £12.50 a day. pic.twitter.com/r429wnDYEx
— Kent 999s (@Kent_999s) September 13, 2023
The vans are equipped with ANPR cameras which scan the number plates of passing vehicles to ensure if they are compliant with Ulez.
The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Eremon to stop people attacking the cameras.