Man charged after causing an explosion at site of newly installed Ulez camera

Police rushed to the scene after hearing reports that the device - which had only been recently installed - had exploded.

The Met's Counter Terrorism Command were called to assist due to their specialism in dealing with incidents involving the use of explosives.

An investigation into the incident has been ongoing since December 6.

Kevin Rees, of Harcourt Avenue in Sidcup, has now been charged with causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.

Rees has been charged with an alleged offence under the Explosive Substances Act 1883.

He also faces three charges of possessing stun guns, and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday.

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“We know that this incident caused much concern locally at the time”, said Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, who leads local policing in the Bexley area.

“Local officers have continued to support the investigation team as they have diligently gone about gathering evidence in this case, working closely with the CPS, which has led to these charges being brought.

“The criminal justice process must now run its course and I would therefore ask people not to speculate further as we await the conclusion of this case at court.”

Following the explosion last year, Lawry said: “The explosion could easily have had far more harmful consequences.”

Police also said that a second man, Stephen Richard Harwood-Stamper, 62, of Church Road, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, has been charged for causing damage to the same Ulez Camera.

This incident happened earlier on December 6 though is unconnected to the explosion.

He is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on November 27.