15/01/2010

Cumbria Speed Camera Trashed

South Cumbria police have appealed for information after thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to a permanent roadside safety camera in Kirkby Lonsdale.

Sometime overnight last Saturday, the permanent roadside safety camera facing Eastbound on the A65 at Devil's Bridge, Kirby Lonsdale had its camera post cut.

Police believe the destruction could have possibly been caused by a portable grinder, creating around £30,000 worth of damage.

Kevin Tea, the Safety Camera Scheme Manager, said: "This anti-social act is putting people's lives at risk and is highly irresponsible. Since the safety cameras started operating in 2003 there has been a steady reduction in the number of people being killed or seriously injured on the county's roads.

"In 2008 we saw the lowest number of fatal accidents for more than 20 years. What the individual who committed this act does not realise is that speeding offences captured on the camera are transmitted immediately to our back office system.

"Removing the camera does not remove the offence so the Constabulary will be seeing who has been through at excessive speed and checking out those drivers who have been caught."

(PR/BMcC)

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