Local Newspaper report on the camera's beheading.

 

"Shropshire's first fixed speed camera, which has caught hundreds of drivers since it was switched on five weeks ago, has been hacked to the ground by a suspected disgruntled motorist wielding a circular saw.

 

 

Telford FM DJ Paul Shuttleworth is seen at the scene of the vandalised speed camera at Bennetts Bank, Wellington

The camera was out of action today after the man was spotted walking along Bennetts Bank in Wellington brandishing the electric saw in the early hours of the morning.

 

Witnesses described seeing sparks as the vandal sliced the camera in half before fleeing the scene.

 

Police say checks are now being carried out on all motorists who have been caught by the camera, which was only put up five weeks ago, to try and identify the attacker.

 

Motorists were still slowing as they passed the camera's position today but many of those who noticed its recording equipment was missing gave the thumbs up.

 

Witnesses told firefighters they thought the camera was on fire after sparks were seen flying from it just before midnight on Saturday.

 

Constable Peter Simmonds, of Telford police, said the man had spent about half a minute vandalising the speed camera.

 

He said the camera had to be dismantled leaving just the post, but police had recovered the recording equipment and would be checking the film to see if any speeders flashed by the camera matched the description of the vandal.

 

Many people travelling past the missing camera today said they supported its removal. Andrea Howard, 43, from Woodside, said: "I think it's hilarious, nobody likes speed cameras. People slow down for them but then they speed up again, they're a waste of time really."

 

Some motorists were bemused during rush hour today when they saw flashes going off - but no camera in place.

 

The flashes were coming from a digital camera being used by Telford DJ Paul Shuttleworth who thought he would give the broken camera a helping hand by snapping motorists during his breakfast show."

 

 

 

Originally posted by Eric Manktelow

The flashes were coming from a digital camera being used by Telford DJ Paul Shuttleworth who thought he would give the broken camera a helping hand by snapping motorists during his breakfast show."

 

 

My word, how desperate is this force becoming!?? Will they get court artists to sit at the side of roads soon and sketch offenders?

Fookin' great!!!:D :D ;)

( disclaimer- although I don't condone this behaviour at all!!):rolleyes:

Excellent - these safety :rolleyes: cameras are popping up everywhere... Check out:

 

http://www.speedcam.co.uk/index2.htm

 

Go to gatsos then take a look at the pages :D

Now thats what i like to see! I hate those Truvelo cameras!

If they had stuck to just hiding them behind trees and bridges non of this would have happened :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Eric Manktelow

Local Newspaper report on the camera's beheading.

 

The camera was out of action today after the man was spotted walking along Bennetts Bank in Wellington brandishing the electric saw in the early hours of the morning.

 

OK, I know it might be a daft question, but where did he plug in the electric saw ?? Are these camera's equiped with a 13 amp socket.....

It was a petrol saw I expect.