8th camera torched...and it will cost £40k to be replaced (From Echo)
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8th camera torched...and it will cost £40k to be replaced
5:10pm Monday 24th November 2008 in
A SPEED camera was set alight less than 200 metres from a fire station in the latest in spate of attacks in south Essex.
The camera had a car tyre, doused in petrol, put round it and was set on fire in Long Road, Canvey.
Firefighters from the nearby fire station managed to put out the burning tyre, which had been cut to fit round the speed camera.
Only a week ago a speed camera was set alight along the A127, near Progress Road, in Southend.
Sub Officer Kevin Kercock, of Canvey Fire Station, said: “There was a lot of smoke and the speed camera is now very discoloured. It is definitely broken.
“I haven’t seen this sort of thing before, but I know there has been a spate of speed cameras being vandalised in the area.”
Eight speed cameras have been destroyed since May last year in south Essex.
Councillor Norman Hume, cabinet member responsible for highways and transportation, said: “Safety cameras are a valuable tool in preventing accidents and reducing casualties.
“We treat vandalism against them extremely seriously and we have reported this matter to the police.”
Police spokesman Nishan Wijeratne said the camera was destroyed and installing a new one would cost as much as £40,000.
He said: “Such incidents of mindless vandalism will not be tolerated. Cameras are there to increase safety and damage to them could result in speed-related accidents.”
Comments(11)
NOTORIOUS
says...
6:21pm Mon 24 Nov 08
GARYSMIFF
says...
6:28pm Mon 24 Nov 08
If you intend on reporting please can you print the facts.
Please would you not amend photos to fit in with your column.
In your Castle Point edition dated 24th November 2008 you show the Camera burnt out in Long road Canvey with an oncoming car on the left hand side of the road.
DO WE LIVE IN FRANCE!!!!!!!!!!!
ShipShape
says...
6:59pm Mon 24 Nov 08
How much cash did this machine fleece from motorists? Enough to pay for it's self?
Hey ho..
Techno
says...
7:25pm Mon 24 Nov 08
SARFENDMAN
says...
7:43pm Mon 24 Nov 08
Meter Mate Mick
says...
8:37am Tue 25 Nov 08
Listen carefully:
Do not break the law and speed. You may think you're a better driver than anyone else but you're not
Do not destroy government property that is paid for by the taxpayer.
Morons!!
ST 1
says...
3:36pm Tue 25 Nov 08
The accident did not occur on the Southend-bound stretch, where the camera was torched 2 weeks ago. Statistically speaking, the stretch without speed camera surveillance is now safer. Statistics are fantastic!
Likewise, I haven't seen any accidents at the Fortune of War since the cameras were taken out of service and the national speed limit restored. When the cameras were fitted however, I did witness an accident when a car braked hard for the camera and the car behind drove into the back of him. Again, statistically speaking, removing the cameras has reduced the number of accidents.
thelonewhinger
says...
3:39pm Tue 25 Nov 08
Techno
says...
5:57pm Tue 25 Nov 08
andyhsufc
says...
7:07pm Tue 25 Nov 08
Techno
says...
7:58pm Tue 25 Nov 08
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