Ulez Blade Runner vigilantes destroy a THOUSAND cameras in just months
987 offences have been reported since April 1
PA
Sadiq’s Khan controversial scheme is being blasted by angry motorists who have destroyed almost 1,000 Ulez cameras.
Vigilantes known as Blade Runners have targeted Transport for London (TfL) cameras which catch drivers going into the ultra-low emission zones.
There have been 987 offences reported since April 1, of which 767 have been for damages and 220 have been theft, according to data released by the Met Police.
Three people have been charged so far – one has had their case drop and two have been arrested and then granted bail.
WATCH NOW: GB News speaks to anti-Ulez 'blade runners'
The Met Police has said: “The Met continues to treat criminal activity in relation to Ulez seriously and has deployed considerable resources to our operation.
“Where there are possible lines of enquiry, local investigators will follow up using a range of investigative approaches including CCTV trawls, witness searches and an assessment of forensic opportunities.”
Khan’s controversial scheme was expanded in August to Greater London.
Drivers of non-compliant vehicles now must pay a daily fee of £12.50 to drive into the city through the zones.
Around 60,000 vehicles in London have been hammered by the daily charge, according to a new report released by TfL.
Earlier this year, GB News spoke to a Blade Runner Ulez vigilante, who said that “Ulez is a war on the working classes”.
Over the last 12 months, ‘Lee’ says he has personally disabled more than 60 cameras himself - including “five or six” since the scheme was expanded.
Justifying his controversial direct action, Lee exclusively told GB News: “It is a war on working-class people, the poorest people, the ones who can't afford a compliant car. It's a tax on the poor.
ULEZ LATEST:
The Ulez was expanded on August 29 PA“Three of the cameras were literally outside my house. So that was a pretty simple day for me… The other two were just down the road.
“It's an ongoing battle... I've designed my own cutting device… Before it was probably taking me about a minute or two. Now I can disable a camera within about 10 seconds.”
TfL have said: “Vandalism on our network is unacceptable and all incidents are reported to the police for investigation.
“Criminal damage to Ulez cameras puts the perpetrators at risk of prosecution and life-changing injuries, while simultaneously risking the safety of the public.
“Camera vandalism will not stop the Ulez operating London-wide.”
The Ulez expansion has been met with protests
PAMany furious motorists have protested the scheme in a variety of different ways.
Most recently, a town in Kent is setting alight a Sadiq Khan effigy as part of their bonfire night celebrations.
The Mayor of London has been unveiled as this year’s guy at the Edenbridge bonfire celebration in Kent following "an overwhelming vote from the public".
The public opted for Khan to be the 11-metre guy as the scheme has hit residents and businesses in the town.
Last month, protestors gathered outside Sadiq Khan’s home to lambast the clean air scheme.
Signs dotted around the front of the property read “Are you listening yet Mr Khan”; “Ulez expansion justified with lies”; and “Stop the toxic air lie”.
Group members also branded the Ulez cameras as “scameras” and demanded that Khan step down as mayor.
The London Mayor said: "I've always said that the decision to expand the Ulez was very difficult, but a month on from the expansion we can already see that it is working."