Police arrest pensioner after speed camera is cut down using angle grinder amid series of attacks

A pensioner has been arrested about a series of attacks on speed cameras in Greater Manchester. The 67-year-old has been questioned after two figures were seen cutting down a safety camera on Warrington Road, Wigan, using an angle grinder.

The attack came just just days after video footage emerged of an incident on Spring Road, Kitt Green with another camera also being targeted on Wallgate at Wigan Pier.

A social media post on GMP Wigan West read: “On Saturday January 6, officers on routine patrol located two men cutting down a new speed camera with an angle grinder on Warrington Road, Wigan. After a short foot pursuit one male was detained. The 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has since been released on bail. There have been a series of speed cameras cut down across the district over the Christmas period, so this is an excellent result for our team.”

Anyone with information on any of the attacks is asked to ring police on 101 or the freephone Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555111.

Transport for Greater Manchester announced it was upgrading 100 cameras back in November with the new cameras able to capture motorists heading in both directions. There is no need for road markings and the VECTOR-SR cameras do not flash either. There are still painted yellow and are in operation 24/7.