Speed cameras are being destroyed – there is a ‘movement’.

Gosh! citizen all fed up with surveillance, and taking direct action!

Well, it appears your average motorist has fantasies about damaging and rendering inoperable, speed cameras. Because its costing them millions £ because they speed. But I think if you ask ’em about the kind of surveillance cameras, I’m bothered about, they mostly think them a good idea!

So, I suppose the bottom line is, so long as they catch someone else .. .. .. .. /

* * * * * *

Speed camera destroyed by bomb

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2726571.stm

A speed camera has been destroyed by a bomb planted on the main box. The blast sent shards of metal flying more than 50 feet.

Detectives said that if anyone had been driving past at the time, they could have been killed. Bomb disposal experts are investigating how the sturdy 10-foot-tall piece of equipment on the A605 at Thrapston, Northamptonshire, was wrecked.

The incident is the latest in a series of deliberate attacks on speed cameras across the country, which has been blamed on frustrated motorists. Dozens of cameras have been burned, toppled and driven into, but the A605 camera was believed to be the first that had been bombed. Detective Constable Alison Farr, of Kettering CID, said on Tuesday night: “We are treating this crime extremely seriously, it was an unbelievably irresponsible act. “The force of the explosion forced metal right across the road and had someone been driving past at this time, the occupants would have been seriously injured or killed and we could have been looking at a murder inquiry.” A team from the Explosive Ordnance disposal unit has examined the site and forensic experts have also studied the debris.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said the incident happened between 0001 GMT and 2225 GMT on Saturday. She appealed for anyone who saw the explosion or anyone acting suspiciously in the area to contact the police.

Seems this sort of thing has happened before: though not ‘blown up’ with a bomb!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2561995.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2541941.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2422527.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2354109.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2713083.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2232193.stm

* * * * * *

and ……..

Speed camera rebels threaten sabotage

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2232193.stm

Motorists frustrated at being caught out by speed cameras are threatening to take the law into their own hands, a civil liberties activist has claimed.

Drivers are upset at “unfair” camera use by police and are threatening to destroy them, according to UKSpeedTraps.com founder John Lockett.

His website reveals locations for about 317 cameras around the UK to help motorists avoid being photographed speeding, and is maintained by a steady stream of tip-offs from drivers. And he says he is now concerned about growing unease about the motivations for speed cameras after the introduction of a policy to give speeding fines back to police forces. And, he claims, many of Lockett’s regional fans are apparently promising militancy. “So far, with the reactions I’ve had around Cwm, Gwent and surrounding areas; basically, they want to destroy them,” he said

“[Many cameras] are not there to improve safety. They are there to make money for the police. “You shouldn’t be caught for speeding if you have got to overtake a bus, let through an ambulance or swerve to avoid a kid. I think it’s wrong. “To place a trap behind a tree, on a very fast corner or down a hill is unfair.”

Susan Beck from the All Safety Camera Partnership – which advises on the placement of the cameras – said the whereabouts of cameras are well publicised. “Cameras are there to do their job, and they do reduce death and injuries on the road,” she said. “These cameras are designed to slow drivers down at recognised casualty hotspots.”

The Department for Transport last year decided to dramatically increase speed camera installations after research showed wider surveillance reduced the number of deaths and serious injuries in pilot areas by 47%. Ms Beck insisted that the cameras help catch motorists who were not concentrating properly and defended the reinvestment of speeding fine cash into police safety schemes.

The government recently floated plans to make speed cameras more visible to motorists – but transport committee MPs warned people would die as a result of speeding outside of camera zones.

Site has been set up by some aggravated motorists, about all this ….

UK Speed Cameras: http://www.ukspeedcameras.co.uk

‘Kill a Speed Camera’ Game: http://www.ukspeedcameras.co.uk/game/camerakiller.htm

* * * * * *

From the Northamptonshire Police website, http://www.northants.police.uk I found this list

‘ Fixed cameras photographing Northamptonshire’s roads can be found at the following locations.’

A6003 Rockingham Hill

A43 Geddington North

A43 Geddington South

A5059 Rushmere Road, Northampton

A508 Barrack Road (northbound), near Post Office

A508 Barrack Road (southbound), near Racecourse

A428 Harlestone

A508 Near Roade – Courteenhall turn

A605 Thorpe Waterville

A605 Oundle Road Turn, Thrapston [Minus this one now it appears ….!]

A508 Lamport Crossing

A508 Kingsthorpe Road, near Thornton Road (Netto), Northampton

A5123 Towcester Road, Northampton

A43 Green Man pub, near Syresham (northbound)

.. .. .. .. .. >>