Who are the Ulez Blade Runners? Story behind the name given to camera vandals
The scheme has proved controversial.
The Ulez scheme is set to expand across Greater London this month.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s controversial scheme sees drivers pay £12.50-a-day to drive in Greater London from August 29 if their cars don’t meet certain environmental standards.
The scheme has been met with backlash by those living in affected areas, sparking a High Court battle that has since been won by Mr Khan and the expansion still going ahead.
And now, a group of vigilantes are taking matters into their own hands by removing the cameras themselves.
Known as the Ulez Blade Runners, people across London have been vandalising cameras in a bid to fight back against the Ulez and the associated charges.
But who are the Ulez Blade Runners and why has the scheme proved so controversial? Here’s what we know.
Who are the Ulez Blade Runners?
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The secretive Ulez Blade Runners are an activist group that has vowed to remove ‘every single one’ of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras used within the Ulez.
The cameras are designed to catch out drivers in vehicles that do not meet the standards required in the Ulez, and must pay a fee.
Speaking to MailOnline, one member of the Blade Runners said he had stolen 34 Ulez cameras, and that he was part of a group of more than 100 people covering different areas across London.
‘In terms of damage it’s way more than what [Khan and TfL] have stated. It’s at least a couple of hundred,’ he said.
‘Snipping, damaging with hammers, painting, disabling on a circuit level and removing. They are unbolted and they are snipped.
‘The tools they use to install them are the ones we use to remove it. We don’t want this. It’s a way to try to… restrict our movements.
‘F**k them. It will not happen because we haven’t done anything to deserve it.’
Following a spate of attacks, Scotland Yard has launched ‘Operation Eremon’ to investigate the vandalism, according to ITV.
A spokesperson from the Met Police told the publication they were aware of a social media video claiming to show stolen and vandalised Ulez cameras.
Detective Superintendent Daniel Smith said: ‘We are continuing to proactively target anyone we suspect of causing or seeking to cause damage to these cameras.
‘We are now reviewing this social media post and will follow up every line of investigation.’
Why is the Ulez controversial?
Since its announcement, the expansion of the Ulez has been met with backlash.
Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Surrey County challenged the plans amid concerns residents won’t be able to afford the £12.50 daily fee, sparking a High Court battle.
Their lawyers argued the Labour mayor lacked the legal power to order the expansion of the zone by varying existing regulations.
Craig Howell Williams KC said there was an ‘unfair and unlawful’ approach to collecting views on the plans and that ‘key information… was not disclosed’ during previous consultation.
The councils lost, however, with Mr Justice Smith, presiding over the hearing, saying: ‘I am satisfied that the mayor’s decision to expand the Ulez area by amendment of the present road charging scheme, rather than by making an entirely new … scheme, was within his powers.’
It’s not the only controversy that has hit the scheme, with it being blamed for the Conservatives’ victory over Labour in the recent Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election.
The Ulez expansion has also drawn criticism from Sir Keir Starmer in the wake of the election loss, with the Labour leader saying there was ‘no doubt’ that was why the Tories hung on to their seat.
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