IED
IED event in Kent, Sidcup area, United Kingdom on Thu 7th December 2023
7th December 2023
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ULEZ camera explosion caused by an IED as terror police investigate South London incident
Police say the camera was cut down before it was blown up in Sidcup, Bexley
Police are treating the explosion of a ULEZ camera in South East London on Wednesday night (December 6) as a deliberate act caused by a crude improvised explosive device (IED). Local police officers were called to reports of an explosion on Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, at approximately 6.45pm yesterday and attended along with members of the London Fire Brigade.
The Met say the incident isn't being treated as a terrorist act currently, but confirmed that the investigation is now being led by officers from the Counter Terrorism Command, which includes those with specialist expertise in explosives. From the investigation so far, it is believed that a ULEZ camera – which had been installed on the road earlier that day – was cut down at around 5.15pm, with the explosion occurring around 90 minutes later, at which point police were called.
The Met say they are keeping an open mind as to whether or not there is a connection between the camera being cut down and the planting of the explosive device. The explosion caused further damage to the camera, as well as to some nearby vehicles and a residential property, but thankfully no members of the public were injured.
The remains of an IED were recovered and have been sent to a specialist team for urgent forensic examination. Police are also carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries in and around the area. There have been no arrests made in connection with the bombing, and enquiries remain ongoing.
DCS Trevor Lawry, Commander for the Bexley area, said: "Thankfully, nobody was injured as a result of this incident, but it is extremely concerning that an explosive device seems to have been deliberately placed in a public place. This could have very easily resulted in members of the public being very seriously injured.
"Because of the seriousness of this incident, we are making urgent enquiries to try and identify anyone involved, and officers with specialist expertise and capability from our Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation.
"This was an extremely dangerous incident that could have resulted in innocent members of the public being injured or worse. If you have any information that could assist our investigation, then I would urge you to get in touch immediately."
A Met spokesperson added: "Although this is being treated as an isolated incident, we would also advise anyone who sees suspicious activity or a suspicious device on or nearby to a ULEZ camera should not approach and should contact police immediately by calling 999. Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation should call 101 quoting CAD 5819/06DEC."
Police say the camera was cut down before it was blown up in Sidcup, Bexley
Police are treating the explosion of a ULEZ camera in South East London on Wednesday night (December 6) as a deliberate act caused by a crude improvised explosive device (IED). Local police officers were called to reports of an explosion on Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, at approximately 6.45pm yesterday and attended along with members of the London Fire Brigade.
The Met say the incident isn't being treated as a terrorist act currently, but confirmed that the investigation is now being led by officers from the Counter Terrorism Command, which includes those with specialist expertise in explosives. From the investigation so far, it is believed that a ULEZ camera – which had been installed on the road earlier that day – was cut down at around 5.15pm, with the explosion occurring around 90 minutes later, at which point police were called.
The Met say they are keeping an open mind as to whether or not there is a connection between the camera being cut down and the planting of the explosive device. The explosion caused further damage to the camera, as well as to some nearby vehicles and a residential property, but thankfully no members of the public were injured.
The remains of an IED were recovered and have been sent to a specialist team for urgent forensic examination. Police are also carrying out extensive CCTV enquiries in and around the area. There have been no arrests made in connection with the bombing, and enquiries remain ongoing.
DCS Trevor Lawry, Commander for the Bexley area, said: "Thankfully, nobody was injured as a result of this incident, but it is extremely concerning that an explosive device seems to have been deliberately placed in a public place. This could have very easily resulted in members of the public being very seriously injured.
"Because of the seriousness of this incident, we are making urgent enquiries to try and identify anyone involved, and officers with specialist expertise and capability from our Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation.
"This was an extremely dangerous incident that could have resulted in innocent members of the public being injured or worse. If you have any information that could assist our investigation, then I would urge you to get in touch immediately."
A Met spokesperson added: "Although this is being treated as an isolated incident, we would also advise anyone who sees suspicious activity or a suspicious device on or nearby to a ULEZ camera should not approach and should contact police immediately by calling 999. Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation should call 101 quoting CAD 5819/06DEC."
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United Kingdom (GBR)
Kent ( Sidcup area )
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