A major police force is appealing for witnesses after furious drivers cut down speed cameras just hours after they were installed.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have released a public call for help following damage to a speed camera on a major road in Southampton.
Between 3.30pm on Tuesday, January 14, and 7.30am on Wednesday, January 15, the police said a speed camera on Bitterne Road West was vandalised and cut down.
The cameras were fitted on the road’s central island on the A3024 Northam Bridge to monitor speeding and red light offences.
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The police have called for anyone with information to come forward
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However, just hours after it was installed, the police holding the camera was cut, causing the T-shaped camera mount to topple, smashing the cameras in the process.
Police Sergeant Jamie Dobson, of the Roads Policing Unit, highlighted how speeding is one of the “Fatal Four” most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions.
Awareness of the “Fatal Four” has been raised by police forces around the country to highlight the dangers of speeding, using a mobile phone at the wheel, not wearing a seatbelt and drunk or drug driving.
Sergeant Dobson added: “Speed cameras like these act as a deterrent to would-be speeders and are vital in helping us ensure the safety of all motorists.
“It is extremely concerning that anyone would take it upon themselves to vandalise these cameras.”
He also fired back at “speculation” that the cameras also monitored other offences like mobile phone use and looking at those not wearing their seatbelts.
There were also reports that the cameras were using artificial intelligence (AI) software or even cameras monitoring emissions similar to those used for London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez).
However, these were quickly debunked by Sergeant Dobson, who said: “None of this is true.
“These cameras are purely for monitoring speed and red traffic light offences so we can identify motorists who neglect the laws of the road which are imposed to keep us all safe.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident is being urged to call 101 or make a report online on the Hampshire Police website.
In February 2024, National Highways joined forces with police forces to join the trial of new safety cameras which make use of AI technology.
In total, 10 police forces are using the technology which can automatically detect motorists who are not wearing a seatbelt or using mobile phones while driving.
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AI speed cameras are now being trialled around the country
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The trial was first launched in 2021 and has since grown to spread around the UK to crack down on motorists engaging in dangerous behaviour at the wheel.
