Man arrested for assault on mobile speed camera worker and tampering with speed van

A 60-year-old man has been arrested following an assault on a mobile speed camera worker.

The man was apprehended following a call for assistance from the operators of a Road Safety Partnership van in Crumlin on Wednesday. He was later released on bail to allow for further enquiries.

Road Safety lead for the Antrim and Newtownabbey area, Chief Inspector Rory Bradley, said: “This is the latest in a number of recent incidents in which members of the public have approached Road Safety Partnership vans and attempted to impede them in their work. This must stop.

“Anyone who directs verbal or physical abuse towards camera operators can expect to be dealt with by police and the courts thereafter.”

“The purpose of safety camera van deployments is to slow drivers’ speeds and keep everyone safer on the roads. The vans are deployed to locations across Northern Ireland where there is a proven history of collisions, or where the local community has requested speed enforcement action.”

He added that 23 people have been killed on the north’s roads this year.

“Speeding is one of the ‘fatal five’ causes of these collisions,” he said.

“Safety camera vans are a key element in reducing drivers’ speed and we remain resolute in our determination to prevent the unnecessary deaths, injury and the harm speeding causes in communities.”