Police share update after new Portsmouth speed cameras were torched by arsonists
The speed cameras in Eastern Road were vandalised in April, sparking a police investigation.
Police officers are urging any witnesses to come forward after speed cameras in Portsmouth were set on fire.
As previously reported by The News, the new speed cameras set up along Eastern Road were vandalised on Sunday, April 12. The electronic control panel of the northbound-facing camera on Eastern Road, near the junction with Hayling Avenue and Sword Sands Road, was set on fire.
The cameras were installed in mid-February, after Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones provided funding for Hampshire Constabulary.
Mrs Jones said: “This appears to be deliberate criminal damage and a police investigation is taking place. The people who did this will be found and dealt with. They are undermining safety efforts and ultimately putting lives at risk.”
Neither camera was operational at the time, and an investigation was launched by police. Officers have since confirmed that they are still looking into it.
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “Work is ongoing to bring the cameras into operation; however, they are not currently enforcing. In relation to the arson, no arrests have been made at this time, the investigation is ongoing.”
Anyone with information for the police can still get in touch, either via 101 or the police website, using the reference number 44260170210.
In the same breath, the police force has confirmed that the speed cameras in Portsdown Hill Road are not live yet either, with work to install them “still ongoing”. At the time of publication, there is no set date for when they will be activated.