Moment anti-ULEZ ‘Blade Runner’ activist dressed as a dinosaur blocks number plate recognition camera by parking a tipper truck in front of enforcement van
Anti-ULEZ activists dressed as a dinosaur and dog used a tipper truck to block one of Sadiq Khan’s mobile ‘spy’ vans used to enforce London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.
The baffling footage is the latest protest against the vans, which use number plate recognition cameras to catch and fine non-compliant vehicles driving in the ULEZ.
Activists opposed to Mr Khan’s flagship policy – which last month expanded to cover the entire city – have already attacked hundreds of static cameras prompting the London Mayor to roll out a fleet of vehicles to catch those flouting the rules.
But these too have become a target, with opponents to the Ulez – who call themselves ‘Blade Runners’ – slashing their tyres, spray painting cameras and smashing windows.
However, some activists have taken to protesting in a more ‘peaceful’ method by simply using other vehicles to block the camera’s view, forcing vans to move on.
Anti-ULEZ activists dressed as a dinosaur and dog used a tipper truck to block one of Sadiq Khan ‘s mobile ‘spy’ vans used to enforce London ‘s Ultra Low Emission Zone.
The activists used a tipper truck with “ULEZ van” sprayed on it to block view of the enforcement vehicle’s camera
A ULEZ official appears glum after police said they would be taking no action against the protesters
Footage seen by MailOnline, has shown the moment one group used a tipper truck with ‘ULEZ Camera’ to block the van in London.
Activists, one dressed as a dinosaur and another wearing a dog costume, then mock ULEZ officials, who are speaking to two officers from the Metropolitan Police.
‘You’ve got us for company and we’re very nice, we keep you company, don’t we,’ one ULEZ protester cheekily says to the two men in charge of the enforcement van.
The woman then turns to the pair of female police officers as they walk away from the scene, and says: ‘Peaceful protest is allowed in this country.’
‘Yes, yes,’ one officer replies before they get in their car and drive off, leaving the activists to continue with their bizarre protest.
Later, the person in the inflatable dinosaur suit is seen waddling towards to two men, as another activist holds a sign saying ‘ULEZ scam’ in front of the van’s ANPR camera.
The video comes as ‘Blade Runners’ ramped up their campaign of vandalism trashing yet another one the vans this week.
Images show one of the vehicle with its windows and windscreen smashed, in the latest escalation by activists determined to thwart Mr Khan’s much-hated levy.
Video footage of the vandalism was shared on Facebook with the caption ‘The Bladerunners are not backing down’, with anti-Ulez activists mocking the criminal damage, hailing the vandalism as ‘amazing work’.
Activists, one dressed as a dinosaur and another wearing a dog costume, mocked ULEZ officials during their peaceful protest
Two police officers were filmed speaking to ULEZ officials before they drove off
As well as blocking the ULEZ van’s view with a truck, protesters also put a sign saying “ULEZ scam” in front of the camera
But the incident is now being investigated by the Metropolitan Police, with the force today hitting out at the vandals.
READ MORE: That’s one way to beat the ULEZ crackdown! ‘Blade Runner’ is hailed a ‘hero’ for ‘pretending to break down in front of enforcement van to block camera’s view of the road and stop it catching motorists’
A spokeswoman from the Met told MailOnline: ‘We are aware of reports of damage to ANPR vans and are investigating. The Met has and continues to treat criminal activity in relation to Ulez seriously and has deployed considerable resources to our operation.
‘Where there are possible lines of enquiry, local investigators will follow up using a range of investigative approaches including CCTV trawls, witness searches and an assessment of forensic opportunities.
‘We are aware of posts on social media referencing Ulez cameras and techniques to disable them. If a report is made to police that someone has vandalised a camera, it will be investigated.’
Last week, videos emerged showing Blade Runners wrecking one of the Ulez vans in Maiden Lane, Crayford, plastering it with graffiti and slashing its tyres.
The same van was also pictured wrapped in a huge blue bag covering it down to the wheels.
It was posted with the message: ‘Can we all send our thoughts and prayers to this poor ULEZ spy van that’s looking rather… deflated.’
Anti-Ulez campaigners have turned their fire on mobile camera vans trying to enforce the rules, by letting down the tyres and
One social media post showed a van being towed away on a recovery truck
Meanwhile, terrified road workers have resorted to making crude handmade signs in an apparent bid to not be targeted by Blade Runners.
Although the mobile cameras can only detect incompliant vehicles while stationary, they can move between boroughs to be deployed at hotspots including near Heathrow airport.
READ MORE: Road workers resort to sticking crude handmade signs to their vehicles to ‘avoid being targeted by anti-ULEZ vandals’
People who drive in the zone with a non-compliant vehicle and fail to pay the £12.50 daily fee are initially being sent warning letters.
In the coming weeks Transport for London (TfL) is expected to start issuing rule-breakers with £180 fines, which will reduce to £90 if paid within 14 days.
A TfL spokesman added: ‘Vandalism is unacceptable and all incidents on our network are reported to the police for investigation.
‘Criminal damage to Ulez cameras or vehicles puts the perpetrators at risk of prosecution and injury, while simultaneously risking the safety of the public.
‘Camera vandalism will not stop the Ulez operating London-wide.
‘All vandalised cameras are repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
‘We have an extensive camera network which is sufficient to support the effective operation of the scheme.
‘Anyone driving a non-compliant vehicle within the expanded zone will be detected and we advise everyone to check whether their vehicle is compliant and to consider the various support that is available to help transition to greener modes of transport.’
Passerby Chris Thorn spotted a highway maintenance truck parked on double-yellow lines in Biggin Hill in Bromley on Monday morning with a ‘NOT ULEZ’ sign hastily attached to the vehicle
Last week, a set of Dartford traffic lights was completely cut in half in an anti-ULEZ attack
Hundreds of Ulez cameras across the capital have been damaged by vigilantes, who have cut wires on the equipment and sprayed the lenses with paint
Anti-ULEZ campaigners, known as the Blade Runners, claim to have disconnected or destroyed at least 500 of the 2,700 static cameras
Earlier this week another so-called ‘Blade Runner’ was hailed a ‘hero’ online after taking a mobile camera van out of action by pretending to breakdown in front of it.
The activist filmed himself parking his red Renault Captur directly behind an enforcement van in London and opened his car boot as if he was in need of roadside assistance – while also placing a warning triangle on the ground.
But the positioning of the car directly behind the automatic number plate camera on top of the van meant it could not catch rule-breakers on the capital’s roads.
The video notched up more than a million views on TikTok.
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