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Reference Library / Speed Cameras

Vandals strike again as two more Wigan speed cameras are felled in the night

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New police investigations have been launched after speed camera saboteurs struck in Wigan yet again.

At some point during the night of August 11 to 12, the speed trap on Spring Road in Orrell was sawn down for the second time in a year and the one on Orrell Road, Orrell, met a similar fate for the first time.

They were the latest in a growing series of attacks which began at the turn of the year with cameras felled on Spring Road, Wallgate, Whelley and Warrington Road in Worsley Mesnes.

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The speed camera on Spring Road, Orrell, after it was attacked for the second timeThe speed camera on Spring Road, Orrell, after it was attacked for the second time
The speed camera on Spring Road, Orrell, after it was attacked for the second time

Those cameras were eventually replaced – at a cost of £100,000 to the taxpayer – but last month the Whelley camera[3] was cut down again.

Now two more acts of criminal damage have been committed.

Danny Vaughan, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Chief Network Officer, said: “We strongly condemn the irresponsible actions of those who vandalise safety cameras, which are used to stop people speeding, reduce collisions and make our roads safer for all users.

“Speeding is highly dangerous and a cause in most fatal collisions on our roads.

The sawn down camera on Orrell RoadThe sawn down camera on Orrell Road
The sawn down camera on Orrell Road

“It is beyond reckless for these people to vandalise these spot speed safety cameras, and unfortunately the cost of replacing or repairing these cameras places a burden on the taxpayer.

“I would strongly urge those responsible to consider the potential consequences of there being fewer safety cameras on our roads, and how they would feel if the next person killed by someone speeding is a friend, relative or loved one.”

When the Whelley camera was vandalised the first time, it fell into the road, causing a further hazard on the brow of the hill when the carriageway was already treacherous with winter snow and ice.

The first attack on the Spring Road camera was caught on CCTV and police will now be checking to see if there is any footage available of this and the other attack which would help them nail the criminal(s).

A man was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of causing criminal damage following the Warrington Road attack. He remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to ring police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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References

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Reference Library / Speed Cameras

New speed camera installed on busy Wigan road to replace device felled in spate of attacks

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The new yellow camera and pole have been erected on Whelley, close to Canon Sharples Primary School.

It was the fourth such attack in just a few weeks, with other devices being dramatically disabled on Wallgate, Warrington Road and Spring Road in Kitt Green.

A new speed camera in place on Whelley, after the previous one was cut downA new speed camera in place on Whelley, after the previous one was cut down
A new speed camera in place on Whelley, after the previous one was cut down

The cameras had only been in place for a short time when they were targeted, replacing older models at locations across the borough.

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The Orrell attack was caught on a CCTV camera and the Warrington Road incident was witnessed, with an onlooker telling police that two men had been involved and were using an angle grinder.

Subsequently a 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and was bailed pending further inquiries.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) head of highways Peter Boulton condemned the damage to the cameras at the time and said it would cost £100,000 to replace them.

He said: “We strongly condemn the irresponsible actions of those who have vandalised spot speed safety cameras which have recently been upgraded in Wigan. These cameras are used to stop people speeding, reduce collisions and make our roads safer for everyone that uses them.

“Speeding is a cause in most fatal collisions and in Wigan borough alone 57 people have been needlessly killed or seriously injured between 2020 and 2022 as a result of speeding.

“It is beyond reckless for these people to vandalise these spot speed safety cameras, and I would urge them to consider the potential consequences of there being one less camera on our roads, and how they would feel if the next person killed by someone speeding is a friend, relative or loved one.”

Last autumn it was announced that TfGM had signed a contract with Jenoptik UK to upgrade many cameras across the region, including several sites in Wigan.

The state-of-the-art technology can catch motorists speeding in both directions at the same time, without the need for road markings, and there is no flash either.

References

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