Ulez: Bill for fixing damaged cameras hits staggering amount after vigilante attacks
Each camera is believed to be worth £10,000
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Angry residents and drivers who have damaged Ulez cameras have run up a staggering £10million replacement bill.
Figures released by the Met Police reveal that almost 1,000 cameras have been destroyed since April 1.
So far 767 cameras have been reported as damaged and 220 have been stolen.
Each camera is believed to be worth £10,000, so if every one was replaced, the grand total would come to £9,870,000.
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Transport for London (TfL) has refused to comment on the costly sum, saying that the information was commercially sensitive and could encourage more attacks.
Speculation that the daily £12.50 charge would be increased to cover the replacement cameras has been shut down by TfL.
Instead, they have insisted that the repair bill would be covered by the existing Ulez budget.
The Met Police have confirmed that five people have been arrested and two charged for damaging enforcement cameras.
In September, GB News spoke to a Blade Runner Ulez vigilante, who said that “Ulez is a war on the working classes”.
Over the last 12 months, ‘Lee’ says he has personally disabled more than 60 cameras himself - including “five or six” since the scheme was expanded.
ULEZ LATEST:
The Ulez was expanded on August 29 PAJustifying his controversial direct action, Lee exclusively told GB News: “It is a war on working-class people, the poorest people, the ones who can't afford a compliant car. It's a tax on the poor.
“Three of the cameras were literally outside my house. So that was a pretty simple day for me… The other two were just down the road.
“It's an ongoing battle... I've designed my own cutting device… Before it was probably taking me about a minute or two. Now I can disable a camera within about 10 seconds.”
TfL have said: “Vandalism on our network is unacceptable and all incidents are reported to the police for investigation.
“Criminal damage to Ulez cameras puts the perpetrators at risk of prosecution and life-changing injuries, while simultaneously risking the safety of the public.
“Camera vandalism will not stop the Ulez operating London-wide.”
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TfL has confirmed that it now deploys security guards to monitor Ulez cameras as the devices continue to be vandalised and blocked.
The guards are also in place to protect engineers installing and repairing the controversial cameras.
Last month, TfL wrote: “TfL has deployed mobile units as part of our extensive camera network to support the effective operation of the ULEZ scheme.
“Cars that accompany the mobile units are used to transport staff who support the operation of the mobile ANPR cameras, including licensed security workers, as required.”
They added: “Where security operatives are used to support the mobile ULEZ camera vans they are suitably licensed by the Security Industry Authority.”
Sadiq Khan’s controversial scheme was expanded in August to Greater London.
Drivers of non-compliant vehicles now must pay a daily fee of £12.50 to drive into the city through the zones.