Two men arrested by counter-terror police after a Ulez camera was blown up in Sidcup with an IED

By Sukhmani Sethi[1]

Published: 17:59, 18 December 2023 | Updated: 18:37, 18 December 2023

Two men have been arrested by counter-terror police after a Ulez[2] camera was blown up in south-east London[3] using an improvised explosive device (IED).

The camera on Willersley Avenue, Sidup was blown up by the explosive device on December 6 - the same day that it was installed - at at about 6.45pm.

Shocking video footage has emerged of the explosion, during which a thunderous bang can be heard, followed by a shower of debris from the damaged camera and car alarms being triggered by the ferocity of the blast.

A 60-year-old man from Sidcup was arrested today on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property.

A 61-year-old man was also arrested in Horsham, West Sussex, on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, and criminal damage, contrary to section one of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The camera Willersley Avenue, Sidup was damaged by the explosive device on December 6, on the same day that it was installed

No injuries were reported but vehicles and a residential property were damaged by the explosion, with police taking the incident 'very seriously' in consideration of how easily the explosive device could have had more 'harmful consequences'.

According to locals, the camera was 'cut down' within a few hours of being installed, and later exploded.

At the time of the incident, a 32-year-old construction worker, who asked not to be named, said the electrical power box attached to the camera ended up at the rear of his black van.

A hole was punctured in the side of his Citroen van by the explosion, which was newly purchased as his other work vehicle was non-ULEZ compliant.

A wooden fence was also damaged by flying shrapnel as well as passing car that suffered damage to one of his front panels.

Counter Terrorism Command is continuing to appeal for the public to share any information that may help the investigation

The resident said: 'When I got home from work I noticed the camera had been chopped down. It had only been up a few hours before it was vandalised.

'I was in the house when I heard a huge bang. I went outside and saw the hole in the side of my van.

'I can't believe that this has happened.

I only bought the van a few months ago as my other one doesn't comply with ULEZ.

'I don't know who is going to pay for the repairs or what my insurance company will say.'

He added: 'I am totally opposed to the ULEZ expansion. If I did not change my van, it would cost me GBP400 a month just to get to work.

'But someone could have been killed by the explosion. I don't if it was a homemade device going off or something electrical.'

Another local, Anna Newman, compared the noise to that of a Second World War bomb exploding, writing: 'Heard it in Welling.

What the hell did they blow it up with? Sounded like a Second World War bomb being disposed of!'

Two men have been arrested by counter-yterror police after a Ulez camera was blown up in south-east London using an improvised explosive device (IED)

Following the incident, a spokesman for mayor of London Sadiq Khan[4] told The Mirror[5]: 'This grotesquely irresponsible behaviour puts both lives and property at risk.'

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.'

A statement from the Met Police[6] read: 'The arrests today are a significant step forward in this investigation. Nevertheless the Counter Terrorism Command is continuing to appeal for the public to share any information that may help the investigation.

In particular, we are keen that people who drove or cycled on Willersley Avenue between 16:30hrs and 19:30hrs on 6 December share with the investigation team any camera footage they may have.'

Scotland Yard confirmed that both men remained in custody at a south London police station and searches are under way at two addresses in Sidcup and Horsham.

References

1. ^ Sukhmani Sethi (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ Ulez (www.dailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)
4. ^ Sadiq Khan (www.dailymail.co.uk)
5. ^ The Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
6. ^ Met Police (www.dailymail.co.uk)