'Not all heroes wear capes': Anti-Ulez activists branded 'legends' after appearing to tear down cameras
3 May 2023, 12:30 | Updated: 4 May 2023, 08:41
Anti-ULEZ campaigners have been branded 'heroes' by critics of the emission zone after images appearing to show them posing with dismantled cameras surfaced on social media.
Uploaded to the Facebook group 'Action Against Unfair ULEZ CAZ & LTN', images show two balaclava clad vigilantes grasping four dismantled cameras - one held aloft in each hand.
The first in the series of images shows the two figures standing in the rain and is accompanied by the caption: "Boyz bin bizzy. Not all heroes wear capes".
But police condemned the vandals’ actions and said any attacks on ‘traffic management cameras will be investigated’.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone, also known as ULEZ, has faced widespread criticism from both drivers and London business owners following news of its expansion.
The current Ulez covers the 236 square miles of central and inner London out to (but not including) the North and South Circular roads.
Owners of motor vehicles driven within it that don’t comply with the required environmental standards have to pay a £12.50 daily charge or face a fine.
If the August enlargement goes ahead, ULEZ rules will apply across all of Greater London’s 600 square miles.
The Facebook group, whose main image shows a doctored Ulez sign with the phrase 'Ultra Lie Emission Zone' beside a picture of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, regularly posts activist content, including proposed protests in the capital.
The images in question, posted by user Kay Jay - whose profile image is also that of the two balaclava-wearing individuals - were applauded by many members of the anti-Ulez group.
A second post, on the user's personal account, also show an assortment of cameras lying on the grass with the caption: "The caped crusaders... gotta loverm 💙💙👍🏻|
"When the government won't listen to it's people this is the way forward. Thank you for your service," wrote one commenter on the group post.
"Boys don't get caught..." wrote another.
Boyz bin bizzy 🤣🤣🤣 Not all heroes wear capes🤣👍🏻
Posted by Kay Jay on Monday, May 1, 2023
A third commenter on the group added: "Heroes bin bizy! 👏 The nore [sic], the better! Down with SadiqKhan!"
While another supporter added: "Soldiers of the revelation , I salute you both"
Contacted for comment, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Any instances of vandalism of traffic management cameras on the transport network reported to the Met police will be investigated."
The activism is the latest public backlash to the proposed expansion of the scheme.
Recent weeks have seen Mr Khan already face criticism over plans to extend Ulez to cover all areas of London by the end of August, a policy which has been countered by a legal challenge.
He said that a number of factors could be considered when charging people under the proposed scheme, including the time of the day people drive at and how polluting their vehicle is, calling the plans "exciting".
"The problem is the technology's quite a long way off," Mr Khan added.
