Pensioner, 67, is arrested by police after three state of the art speed cameras were chopped down with an angl

• A 67-year-old man is accused of chopping down three speed cameras in Wigan

By Stewart Carr[1]

Published: 13:06, 9 January 2024 | Updated: 13:06, 9 January 2024

A 67-year-old pensioner is being questioned on suspicion of chopping down three new infra-red speed cameras with an angle rider.

Greater Manchester Police[2] said the arrest follows claims that two people were spotted cutting down a speed camera on Warrington Road, Wigan.

The attack took place days after two other new Wigan VECTOR-SR safety cameras were felled - at Wigan Pier and the town's Kitt Green suburb.

GMP Wigan West posted on social media: 'On Saturday, January 6[3], officers on routine patrol located two men cutting down a new speed camera with an angle grinder on Warrington Road, Wigan.

'After a short foot pursuit one male was detained. The 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has since been released on bail.

CCTV showed a man appearing to use an angle grinder to remove a speed camera in Wigan

The footage showed sparks fly as the man made a determined effort to take down the camera

'There have been a series of speed cameras cut down across the district over the Christmas[4] period, so this is an excellent result for our team.'

Last November, it was revealed Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) had agreed a deal with Jenoptik UK to upgrade many cameras across the region to the VECTOR-SR which uses infra-red technology.

The state-of-the-art technology can also catch motorists speeding in both directions at the same time without the need for road markings - using infra-red means there is no flash, so drivers are unaware at the time they have been caught.

Anyone with information on any of the attacks is asked to ring police on 101 or the freephone Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555111.

In November speeding drivers across Greater Manchester were warned to beware they are now more likely to be caught after the region signed a deal with Jenoptik for more than 100 of their new VECTOR-SR cameras.

Funded through the Mayor's Challenge Fund (MCF) to improve road safety and support Greater Manchester's commitment to Vision Zero, they aim to eliminate all road fatalities and serious injuries.

Unlike older style cameras, the new 'ultra' speed cameras do not require painted lines on the road. They also use infra-red low-light technology, meaning they will no longer 'flash' at speeding drivers.

Motorists are being urged to look out for them as, unlike traditional cameras which only capture vehicles in the left-hand lane, they capture two-way traffic.

At the time Superintendent Gareth Parkin of Greater Manchester Police's Safer Transport Team said: 'The new and upgraded speed cameras across the city-region will ensure that drivers adhere to road speeds and do not engage in reckless or anti-social driving.

'Speed limits are put in place to ensure our roads are safe.

Excessive speeds increase the chances of driver error, increase the time it takes for a vehicle to stop and can also increase fatalities in the event of a collision.

'Nationally there were 1,711 fatalities last year and nearly 19,000 since 2012, which is more harm than knife crime.

Regionally 73 per cent of collisions involve human error, individual responsibility is key if we are going to make a difference hence our approach targeting speeding drivers.

'I would like to thank the Mayor's Office and Safer Roads Greater Manchester for continuing to work with GMP to help tackle these issues.

'GMP will not allow the safety of our roads to be compromised by dangerous drivers, and appropriate action will always be taken against offenders.'

Peter Boulton, Transport for Greater Manchester's Head of Highways, added: 'Any death or serious injury on our roads is one too many, and speeding is the leading cause of fatal road injuries which have a devastating impact on people's lives.

'By investing in these safety cameras, we are underlining our commitment to Vision Zero, our ambition to reduce and eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads, therefore making Greater Manchester a safer place for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists.

'However education is just as important as enforcement when it comes to tackling speeding, and I would strongly advise drivers to consider their behaviour when on the road to keep themselves and others safe.'

References

1. ^ Stewart Carr (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ Manchester Police (www.dailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ January 6 (www.dailymail.co.uk)
4. ^ Christmas (www.dailymail.co.uk)