Police have launched an investigation after attacks on Ulez cameras in south east London amid reports they may be part of a fresh wave of vandalism.
Last month a camera was blown up in Sidcup in an attack branded "grotesquely irresponsible" by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
The Ulez scheme aims to improve air quality by charging a £12.50 daily fee to enter the zone for vehicles that do not meet emissions standards.
It is enforced by a network of number-plate recognition cameras but a group who have named themselves the 'blade runners' have orchestrated a campaign of vandalism against the cameras.
In the latest incidents in the early hours of Monday five cameras were vandalised
One in Chislehurst, in the borough of Bromley, was attacked and left damaged and laying on the pavement.
Officers are also investigating incidents in Baring Road, Marvels Lane, Bromley Road and Southend Lane.
The areas targeted, in Bromley and Lewisham, have been hotbeds of opposition to the Ulez expansion and the attack took place under two miles from the Sidcup explosion.
Meanwhile in nearby Bexleyheath a camera was torn down by vandals who replaced it with a Christmas tree over the festive period.
A police statement said: "Police were called to Royal Parade, Chislehurst shortly before 04:00hrs on Monday, 15 January following reports that traffic lights and a ULEZ camera had been damaged.
"An investigation has been launched.
"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
"Officers are aware of incidents in Baring Road, Marvels Lane, Bromley Road and Southend Road. Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether the offences are linked. There have been no arrests."
The Met added that CCTV evidence would be trawled through as part of the investigation.
The statement said: "We continue to treat criminal damage to Ulez cameras seriously."
Figures released by the Met in November said there had been nearly 1,000 recorded crimes connected to the cameras being stolen or vandalised in the past seven months.
After the Sidcup explosion using an improvised explosive device (IED) DCS Trevor Lawry said: “It is extremely concerning that an explosive device seems to have been deliberately placed in a public place. This could have very easily resulted in members of the public being very seriously injured.”
Two people have been arrested so far over alleged attacks on cameras. One has been charged and bailed ahead of trial, while the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the other case.
Anyone with information on the latest incidents are asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 821/15Jan.
