ULEZ wardens wear balaclavas to hide faces after weeks of clashes with 'Blade Runner’ vigilante-style attacks

3 October 2023, 11:52 | Updated: 3 October 2023, 11:57

TfL enforcement staff are now allowed to wear balaclavas after threats from anti-Ulez activists.
TfL enforcement staff are now allowed to wear balaclavas after threats from anti-Ulez activists. Picture: Alamy, Social media
Jasmine Moody

By Jasmine Moody

Wardens overseeing Ulez are now wearing balaclavas after weeks of clashing with Blade Runners attempting to sabotage the scheme.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

As well as cameras, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has implemented TfL enforcement vans with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to crack down on non-compliant vehicles.

TikTok account, curiouswildanimals, posted a video showing balaclava-clad enforcement staff.

Staff have been granted permission to wear the accessory as they have been subject to threats, TfL told The Telegraph.

In the video, the enforcers said there "had been a few threats" and told the person filming that someone had thrown "a hammer through the windscreen" of one of the vans.

In response, the person filming joked that he would "leave that to the young lads", as he would not be able to "run fast enough."

The staff added that they "didn’t care about peaceful protest" and were there to keep an eye out for more destructive measures.

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

Staff said that peaceful protests were fine.
Staff said that peaceful protests were fine. Picture: Social media

The person behind the camera began to ask why they did the job, accusing them of being "morally indecent" and automatically "guilty by association".

He also insisted it would be less embarrassing being jobless, "skint" and going to a "food bank" than being a Ulez warden.

Read more: Anti-Ulez 'Blade Runner' activist 'pretends to break down' to block camera and stop it camera catching motorists

Some enforcement officers are also wearing caps and sunglasses.
Some enforcement officers are also wearing caps and sunglasses. Picture: Social media

Much like the cameras, the vans have also been a target of the anti-Ulez crowd.

This comes as the Met Police have revealed that 595 cameras were damaged, and an additional 200 were stolen between April 1 and September 30.

A 52-year-old man was arrested in Bexley on September 22 on suspicion of criminal damage relating to such crimes, the Met said.

The man was taken to a south London police station for questioning before being released on bail.

Read more: More than 750 Ulez-related crimes recorded by Met Police in just six months

Although some Blade Runners have adopted more hostile attacks on the vans, such as slashing tires, others have attempted more peaceful measures.

One activist took to dressing up in an inflatable dinosaur costume.

With their canine-costumed companion, the prehistoric protestor strategically blocked a TfL enforcement van with a tipper truck.

Read more: Anti-Ulez activist dressed as dinosaur blocks TfL enforcement van with tipper truck as backlash continues to grow

The Ulez scheme was first introduced in April 2019 but was expanded to cover all of London’s 32 boroughs in August.

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

The Ulez scheme was expanded to cover all London boroughs on August 29.
The Ulez scheme was expanded to cover all London boroughs on August 29. Picture: Alamy

Mayor Sadiq Khan said previously 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.

Transport for London said the tactics "will not stop the Ulez operating London-wide".

A spokesman added: "Nine out of 10 cars seen driving in the zone won’t have to pay a penny, and for any Londoner impacted, thousands of pounds of help is available."

The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Eremon to stop people from attacking the cameras.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Survey Indicates Scotland Have Different Views On Migration From Rest Of UK

Dodgy advisers posing illegally as immigration lawyers to face fresh crackdown under new bill

Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn: Fatal Fury - Fight Night

Chris Eubank Jr wins middleweight bout against Conor Benn

Police are at the scene of a "serious incident" near where the Otley Run pub crawl takes place in Leeds

Counter terror police take over investigation into 'serious incident' in Leeds after firearm and crossbow recovered

Ryan Reynolds co-owner of Wrexham celebrates the opening goal with wife Blake Lively

Wrexham promoted to Championship as Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively celebrate in stands

The reality TV star and campaigner, 30, has reportedly been dating Mr Stacey for less than a year

Love Island star Georgia Harrison announces she is expecting first child with partner Jack Stacey

Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring a goal in the FA Cup semi final

Crystal Palace secure place in FA Cup final for third time after 3-0 victory over Aston Villa

Valerie the dachshund disappeared during a camping trip back in 2023

Miracle in the outback: Joy as mini dachshund found safe and well after spending 529 days alone in Australian wilderness

Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli army airstrike in Gaza City on Saturday

Ten dead - including children - after Israeli air strike flattens three-storey home in Gaza

Police remain in the area

Three injured after 'serious incident' in Leeds after 'man with weapons' arrested near popular pub crawl route

a british police car

Horror as 'human remains' found in wooded area in popular seaside town, with police 'searching abandoned caravan'

Protesters from Just Stop Oil take part in what it claims will be their last direct action protest outside Downing Street, central London. Picture date: Saturday April 26, 2025.

Car 'drives slowly into Just Stop Oil protesters' blocking central London road on 'final march'

Celtic players celebrate victory in the William Hill Premiership following the William Hill Premiership match at Tannadice Park, Dundee. Picture date: Saturday April 26, 2025.

Celtic win Scottish Premiership in style with 5-0 Dundee thrashing

A new tourist tax will hit a UK city.

Major UK city will soon charge 'tourist tax' for overnight stays

Philip Lowrie has died

Original Coronation Street star Philip Lowrie dies aged 88

German ambassador Miguel Berger

EU youth mobility scheme is 'no-brainer', German ambassador to UK tells LBC

rowds during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City

Hundreds of thousands gather for Pope's funeral, as mourners reminded of Francis' call to 'build bridges, not walls'