A man from Sidcup in London has been charged with causing damage to traffic cameras that check whether vehicles need to be charged for entering the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The accused, Joseph Nicolls, was also charged with criminal damage, malicious communications, handling stolen goods, and aiding or abetting damage to property over £5,000. Nicolls appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court and was released on bail. Transport for London (TfL) reported 96 allegations of criminal damage, but it is unclear how many Nicolls damaged or what the “malicious communications” were. Detective Superintendent Daniel Smith stated that the police are proactively investigating the matter, gathering CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses.
ULEZ is a London zone where vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards must pay a daily charge or face fines. The plan was initially introduced in 2019 and later extended to the North and South Circular roads in October 2021. The ULEZ scheme is set to expand to the whole of Greater London from August 29, which could result in nearly 700,000 drivers paying the daily charge, according to estimates by a leading automative services company. Mayor Sadiq Khan said that the extension aims to improve air quality and public health, with air pollution causing 4,000 premature deaths annually. However, the plan has faced staunch opposition from various campaign groups and Conservative-led suburban councils, with some arguing that it would disproportionately affect lower-income households and small businesses. Some activists have reportedly targeted cameras in opposition to the expansion.