Police confirm two speed cameras were set on fire in Eastern Road, Portsmouth - and that they had not yet been switched on
It has now been confirmed that two new Portsmouth speed cameras were set on fire - and that they were not yet working
Police have confirmed that both of their new Portsmouth speed cameras were attacked by arsonists at the weekend. Neither was yet operational, say police.
Yesterday The News reported that electronic control panel of the northbound-facing camera on Eastern Road, near the junction with Hayling Avenue and Sword Sands Road, had been set on fire.
Despite there being police tape and fire service tape also around the southbound-side camera, on the Milton Common side of the road, as well as evidence of scorch marks, yesterday spokespeople for the fire service and police could only officially confirm the damage to the northbound camera.
Now police have confirmed that both cameras were damaged on Sunday in arson attacks, and investigation has been launched into both incidents.
The cameras were installed in mid-February, after Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones provided funding for Hampshire Constabulary.
Mrs Jones said yesterday: “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."
Mobile speed cameras had been used in those locations in recent years.
Southsea firefighters were called at 12.30pm on Sunday, and after putting out the fire in the electrical box put up a cordon around the cameras. They left to return to their station at 1pm. Reports locally suggested that some kind of material had been shoved into the box before being ignited.
There are also plans for 10 average speed cameras to be installed along Portsdown Hill Road.