A staggering 171 crimes regarding ULEZ cameras have been reported within the span of simply over two weeks, the Met Police has mentioned.

Even this eye-watering determine seemingly downplays what number of cameras have been vandalised, as different crimes could have gone unreported and a single report can symbolize assaults on a number of cameras.

Two people have been arrested to this point for assaults on cameras, the power instructed the BBC, with one charged bailed for trial to June 2024 and the opposite having their discontinued by the CPS.

The controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone, initially recommended by Boris Johnson and now formally expanded by London Mayor Sadiq Khan throughout all of London, has develop into a focus of political division.

Expanded throughout all the capital's boroughs on August 29, the system enforces fines for drivers of non-compliant automobiles throughout the zones in an effort to discourage their use and scale back air air pollution.

But detractors say it acts as an effective tax on many London tradespeople who depend on touring by means of the capital and can't afford to swap out their automobile.

The Met Police instructed the BBC it "continues to monitor anti-ULEZ protests, as we do for all potential public order matters, to consider if bespoke policing plans are required".

Protests towards the cameras have seen crowds of 200 to 300 folks gathering.

There are actually over 3,400 cameras throughout the entire of ULEZ.

Anyone caught driving a automobile which doesn’t match as much as the scheme’s emission normal might be fined £12.50 a day, or £180 in the event that they fail to pay.

Vigilantes, together with one group named the "Balaclava Blade Runners", have launched attacks on the cameras – spray portray or stealing them, or snipping their wires.

According to crowdsourced information, essentially the most vicious battle again towards the scheme has been in Bromley, the place 100 out of its 120 cameras are reportedly both lacking or broken.

Peter Fortune, London Assembly member for Bexley and Bromley within the Greater London Authority, mentioned: "You have to wonder if the scheme is fit for purpose. If they don’t have coverage across the area, then by definition it can’t be a Greater London-wide ultra-low emission zone.

"Is there an argument to say there's inequitable therapy throughout Greater London right here.

He added: "I can’t condone any kind of illegal activity, and I wouldn’t condone any kind of criminal act pulling them down.

"I additionally wouldn’t condone the morally doubtful act of placing them up within the first place, and assume that has led to actual frustration from folks."

Unofficial stats gathered by a group of people calling themselves Julie's ULEZ map, who are opposed to the expansion, claims that out of the 1,762 cameras in outer London, about 750 have been damaged or stolen.

MP for Sutton and Cheam and London minister Paul Scully has written to Mr Khan urging him to remove the ULEZ camera in front of the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, which has also been targeted by vandals.

He told Mr Khan the camera was "serving as a outstanding lightning rod in the direction of those that are keen to take the legislation into their very own arms".

He added that the location of the camera was aimed at intentionally catching motorists "venturing little greater than 100 metres into the boundary to go to family members, obtain therapy or attend their place of job".

A Transport for London spokesperson said: "Criminal injury to Ulez cameras places the perpetrators prone to prosecution and life-changing accidents, whereas concurrently risking the protection of the general public.

"Camera vandalism will not stop the ULEZ operating London-wide. All vandalised cameras are replaced as soon as possible."