'TfL hire private security' to monitor mobile Ulez cameras after weeks of damage by vandals

20 September 2023, 14:04 | Updated: 20 September 2023, 18:12

By Kieran Kelly

@kellyjourno

Transport for London appears to have hired private security guards to monitor mobile Ulez cameras, which continue to be targeted by vandals.

Footage appears to show a security guard sitting in a red car in front of a mobile Ulez camera in London.

An anti-Ulez activist approaches the man, who is sitting in the car with a woman behind the wheel, and says: "Are you security for this device?"

The man replies: "I am yes."

The activist goes on: "There's two of you, this is public money. You're just keeping an eye on it to make sure no one smashes it?"

The 'guard' then nods as he sits in the car.

It comes just days after Ulez cameras in west London were covered in insulating foam in yet another attack on Sadiq Khan's policy.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, another Ulez camera was knocked down in Catford.

A TfL spokesperson said: “Vandalism is unacceptable and all incidents on our network are reported to the police for investigation.

"Criminal damage to ULEZ cameras or vehicles puts the perpetrators at risk of prosecution and injury, while simultaneously risking the safety of the public. Camera vandalism will not stop the ULEZ operating London-wide. All vandalised cameras are repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

“We have an extensive camera network which is sufficient to support the effective operation of the scheme. Anyone driving a non-compliant vehicle within the expanded zone will be detected and we advise everyone to check whether their vehicle is compliant and to consider the various support that is available to help transition to greener modes of transport.”

Read More: Where are the Ulez cameras and how do they work?

Read More: Now furious anti-Ulez activists spray cameras with insulating foam to disable them as police crackdown continues

It comes as the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan continued to defend his attempts to tackle air pollution in the capital.

Speaking at the United Nations in New York, Mr Khan said: "The same things that cause climate change, cause air pollution.

"Nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon emissions. If you deal with one, you deal with the other."

The Ultra Low Emission Zone, which had been in place for inner London for several years, was expanded to cover every part of London at the end of last month.

From August 29, drivers without Ulez-compliant cars have been forced to pay £12.50 every day they drive.

Following a wave of destruction, the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Eremon to stop people attacking the cameras.

A senior officer has been appointed to collect the reports of vandalism and theft and coordinate police investigations.