London deploys masked sentries to guard climate cameras from taxpayers

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has deployed a squad of masked guards to protect surveillance cameras from taxpayers.

The cameras were installed last year to enforce Khan’s climate mandate, which bars environmentally-offensive vehicles from entering the ultra-low emission zones (ULEZs) peppered throughout the city. 

Cars that fail to meet the city’s environmental criteria are subject to a fee of £12.50 ($16) if they enter a ULEZ. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras strategically placed across the designated areas use cutting-edge technology to swiftly capture license plate information and cross-reference it with the corresponding vehicle’s make and model in real-time. If a vehicle fails to satisfy the environmental criteria, the automobile owner is subject to a fine. 

The ULEZ climate mandate has sparked fervent backlash from taxpayers, with protests ranging from hunger strikes to outright refusal to pay fines. Locals have found ways to disable the ANPR surveillance cameras, which Transport for London (TfL), the city’s transportation authority, said will be used for both climate and law enforcement purposes.

Over the past several months a feud has broken out between London taxpayers and city authorities over the ULEZ mandate. A group of anonymous residents calling themselves the Blade Runners took to disabling the cameras by cutting their wiring. The city responded by installing protective boxes around the wires, but the Blade Runners began dismantling the cameras altogether. Khan then ordered surveillance vans equipped with ANPR cameras on their roofs to patrol ULEZ areas. Taxpayers formed online groups where they shared sightings of the vans, which were also vandalized. 

In November, London’s Metropolitan Police launched a manhunt after a ULEZ camera exploded in Sidcup, causing significant harm to vehicles and property in close proximity. According to local sources, the camera had been installed mere hours prior.

Now reports say that masked, black-clad henchmen have been hired by the city to stand guard over the cameras, some of which are near homes and schools. Taxpayers told the Daily Mail last month that the guards record passersby with their body cameras.

But despite many complaints from residents, TfL claims the guards have “high standards of professionalism” and are “necessary to protect ULEZ cameras from the Blade Runners.”

“All you can see is their eyes,” said Claire Dyer, a 47-year-old mother of five who lives in Biggin Hill, Bromley. “They are wearing masks and balaclavas . . . [which] have skeletons on them. Dressing all in black with body cameras all in masks. They seem to be above the law.

“They say they are a TFL representative but they don’t actually work for TFL. It’s such a grey area.”

The sentries are in fact contracted by TfL from the Security Industry Authority. TfL said the guards are permitted to wear masks “if they feel threatened by being closely filmed.” The body cameras were justified by claims from the TfL that the men have been subjected to “threats” and “abuse.”

Dyer said she witnessed one of the guards hit an anti-ULEZ protester with his car, leaving the victim with severe bruising on her legs. The guard drove off without stopping to check on the woman’s condition.

The city has nevertheless vowed to continue protecting ULEZ cameras for “the safety of the public.”

“Criminal damage to Ulez cameras or vehicles puts the perpetrators at risk of prosecution and injury, while simultaneously risking the safety of the public,” said TfL in a statement. “’Camera vandalism will not stop the Ulez operating London-wide. All vandalised cameras are repaired or replaced as soon as possible.”

As of November, the police documented close to 1,000 offenses related to ULEZ cameras, encompassing 220 instances of theft and 767 instances of vandalism. 

During the period from April 1st to August 31st, a total of 351 instances of damage to ULEZ cameras were officially documented by the police. Additionally, there were 159 cases where the cameras were completely removed. This translates to an average of more than 100 incidents occurring each month. Out of the various occurrences, a total of 171 have been reported since August 17th, right before the ULEZ mandate was officially extended to encompass all outer London districts.