Counter-terror police arrest two men after ULEZ camera blown up with IED

Two men have been arrested by counter-terrorism police who are investigating the explosion of a ULEZ camera with an improvised bomb.

The device, located in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, south-east London, was blown up at around 6.45pm on December 6 – just hours after it was installed.

It was one of the most dramatic examples of backlash against the expansion of the controversial scheme, which aims to reduce air pollution in the capital.

The Metropolitan Police said the damage had been done by a ‘low-sophistication improvised explosive device (IED)’.

Nobody was hurt by the explosions, but vehicles and a nearby house were damaged.

A 60-year-old man from the area close to where the camera was blown up was arrested just after 6am today on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property.

At 6.15am, a 61-year-old man was also arrested in Horsham, West Sussex, on the same grounds as well as on suspicion of criminal damage.

Scotland Yard said both remained in custody at a police station in south London while searches take place at two addresses in Sidcup and Horsham.

Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, Commander for the Bexley area, said: ‘The explosion could easily have had far more harmful consequences, and today’s arrests highlight just how seriously the Met is treating the incident.

‘My local officers are continuing to work with and support the Counter Terrorism Command who are leading the investigation due to their specialism in dealing with incidents involving the use of explosives.’

After the incident, a spokesman for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: ‘This grotesquely irresponsible behaviour puts both lives and property at risk.’

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