Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sadiq Khan condemns attack on Ulez camera, calls it 'grotesquely irresponsible'

Since the expansion of the Ulez zone to cover all London boroughs in August, there have been multiple instances of vandalism targeting Ulez cameras

Sadiq Khan condemns attack on Ulez camera, calls it 'grotesquely irresponsible'

The London mayor's office strongly condemned a "grotesquely irresponsible" attack on a camera responsible for enforcing the city's ultra-low emission zone (Ulez).

The incident involved damaging the camera with what seemed to be a homemade bomb, posing a risk to lives, The Guardian reported.


No immediate response regarding the incident came from Downing Street or the Home Office. Also, No. 10 stated its inability to comment due to an ongoing police inquiry but condemned "criminality more generally."

While the explosion in Sidcup, located in south-east London on Wednesday (6) evening, is not currently categorised as terrorism by the Metropolitan police, the investigation is being overseen by counter-terror officers.

Residents nearby shared photos on social media depicting a significant dent in a van, apparently caused by debris from the blast, as well as damage to the window frame of a nearby house. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, said: “This grotesquely irresponsible behaviour puts both lives and property at risk. Police are rightly investigating this dangerous and reckless act.”

A representative for Rishi Sunak acknowledged being aware of the incident but refrained from commenting, citing an ongoing investigation.

Since the expansion of the Ulez zone to cover all London boroughs in August, there have been multiple instances of vandalism targeting Ulez cameras.

The move has faced opposition from Sunak's government, Conservatives in City Hall, and numerous Tory MPs.

According to figures released by the Met in November, nearly 1,000 recorded crimes have been linked to stolen or vandalised cameras over the past seven months.

Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for the upcoming mayoral election, strongly denounced the allegations, expressing full condemnation for any form of vandalism.

She said that the most effective way to protest against Sadiq Khan's contentious Ulez expansion is through the ballot box in the upcoming May elections.

According to a Met police statement a “low-sophistication improvised explosive device” damaged a camera in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, at about 6.45pm on Wednesday.

The camera, installed earlier on the same day, was initially cut down and then apparently blown up.

Expressing deep concern DCS Trevor said it is extremely worrying that an explosive device seems to have been intentionally placed in a public area. “This could have very easily resulted in members of the public being very seriously injured.”

The Ulez scheme aims to enhance air quality by imposing a £12.50 daily fee for vehicles entering the zone that fail to meet emissions standards. The enforcement relies on a network of number-plate recognition cameras.

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less