South London Man Faces Old Bailey Over ULEZ Camera Explosion
A 62-year-old South Londoner is set to face the Old Bailey for a dramatic explosion outside a ULEZ camera site in Sidcup. Kevin Rees, from Harcourt Avenue, is charged with causing the blast near a newly installed Ultra Low Emission Zone camera on Willersley Avenue on December 6, 2023.
Serious Charges Including Explosives and Weapons
Rees is facing serious legal firepower. He’s charged under the Explosive Substances Act 1883 for causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious property damage. On top of that, he’s hit with three counts of possessing prohibited weapons under the Firearms Act 1968. Though scheduled for a Westminster Magistrates’ Court hearing, he missed the session due to a suspected stroke. His preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey is now set for November 22. Meanwhile, he’s out on bail — but with strict conditions including a ban on participating in any ULEZ protests.
Wave of ULEZ Vandalism Rocks London
Sidcup’s explosion wasn’t an isolated incident. Across London, nearly 1,500 ULEZ cameras have been damaged or smashed. Transport for London says each camera costs about £6,000 — meaning the vandals have caused hundreds of thousands in damage. This crackdown on emissions zones is sparking fury among some locals, turning vandalism into a rampant issue.
Other Arrests and Sentences Linked to Anti-ULEZ Fury
Last December, police arrested another man, aged 60, from Horsham in connection with ULEZ vandalism. Though cleared over the explosion, he faces charges for damaging another ULEZ camera. Meanwhile, Joseph Nicholls, 43, from Sidcup, was sentenced for inciting ULEZ attacks on a Facebook group. Nicholls promoted camera damage and sent threatening emails to Yunex Traffic, the firm running these cameras. He got a 10-month suspended sentence, must pay £6,800 in costs, complete 150 hours of community work, and attend 15 days’ rehab.
Political Fallout Over Anti-ULEZ Facebook Groups
Croydon Mayor Jason Perry and Tory MP Chris Philp have come under fire for involvement in a Facebook group opposing ULEZ expansion. Greenpeace’s probe labelled the group a “cesspit of vile racism and hate speech.” The damaging group was archived in May but has spotlighted the toxic side of anti-ULEZ activism.
The growing crackdown highlights the rising criminal side of anti-ULEZ protests in London, with police treating some incidents — especially the Sidcup bombing — under the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. Expect tough lines as the ULEZ battle heats up.
