Sadiq Khan issues a warning to Ulez protesters who are vandalizing cameras

The mayor said series of attacks on cameras Construction in the future extension of the zone was “unacceptable” and was being seriously reviewed by the police and Transport for London.

Vandalism was reported in Abbey Wood, Cheema, Kingston, Wallington, Bromley and near Heathrow.

In addition, pictures were published on social networks showing how several cameras that read car license plates were closed.

One was covered with a box that said, “Stop picking on idiots.” Another appears to have been covered in a Sainsbury’s ‘life sack’.

The the ultra-low emission zone is due to extend to the Greater London border on 29 August. Drivers of vehicles whose exhaust fumes breach the Ulez rules will have to pay £12.50 a day. None of the new cameras were included.

Mr Khan told the Standard: “One of the joys of living in a democracy is that you can stand up to things and do it loudly, vocally – you can have petitions and protests.

“But you have to stay within the law. You must ensure that your protest is peaceful, legal and safe.

“Vandalizing Ulez cameras, damaging TfL property is unacceptable. This is a criminal offense and rightly so the police and TfL take it very seriously.’

TfL chiefs took a downbeat approach to the vandalism, saying only a small number of the 2,750 cameras installed had been damaged.

But TfL is looking at how best to protect the cameras from future attacks. Informed sources say the vandalism has caused “paranoia” at City Hall.

TfL will spend between £60m and £75m on cameras and road signs, with a total of £130m to £140m on the Ulez extension.

By the end of January, more than 300 cameras had been installed. More than 1,800 of the 2,750 cameras are located at existing traffic lights.

TfL and five councils seeking a judicial review of the mayor’s decision to expand Ulez have asked the High Court to speed up the action.

Both sides want the issue resolved by August 29. A ruling that Mr Khan breached the Ulez consultation law is seen as the only way to delay the expansion.

“We asked for the court case to be resolved sooner rather than later,” Mr Khan said.

TfL’s head of legal affairs, Howard Carter, told the TfL board on Wednesday that an initial High Court decision was expected “any day now” when part of the judicial review application, if any, would be brought to court.

Mr Khan warned motorists not to fall for “misinformation” and check the TfL website to see if their vehicle complies with Ulez emissions regulations.

“It’s all systems go at this point,” he said. “The cameras are going up. More and more people are using disposal scheme.

“We are speaking to Londoners to encourage them to check that their car is compliant. The latest figures show that more than nine out of 10 cars around London comply.”