Man, 63, Convicted for Blowing Up ULEZ Camera with Homemade Bomb in Sidcup
In a shocking incident that highlights the extreme opposition to London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme, a 63-year-old man has been convicted for using a homemade bomb to blow up a ULEZ camera in Sidcup, south-east London. Kevin Rees, a retired electrical appliances engineer, was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, of causing an explosion likely to endanger life.
Details of the Explosive Attack
The court heard that Rees, who "strongly opposed" the ULEZ initiative, constructed a metal cylinder filled with explosive powder to target the camera. On December 2, 2023, he planted the device on a newly installed ULEZ camera in Shuttle Close, Sidcup, and lit a fuse at approximately 6:20 pm. Police investigations revealed that Rees had travelled from his home in Sidcup to the location shortly before the attack.
The explosion caused significant damage to the surrounding area, with debris and shrapnel spreading up to 100 meters. This included damage to a van parked opposite the camera, which had its tyre blown out, and a passing car where shrapnel pierced the passenger seat. Nearby properties were also affected, with a wall, front porch, shed, and Wendy house sustaining damage. Alarmingly, a piece of metal was propelled over 100 meters, damaging the window frame of a child's bedroom, though fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Investigation and Arrest
Following the incident, police identified Rees as a suspect through witness accounts and surveillance. He was arrested on December 18, 2023, during a search of his home in Harcourt Avenue, Sidcup. Authorities discovered a sealed postal package containing aluminium powder and a plastic bag with iron oxide, both materials that can be used to create low-explosive compositions. Additionally, three homemade stun guns were found, leading to further convictions for possessing prohibited weapons.
Rees's social media activity played a key role in the case. He had posted multiple times about ULEZ cameras and encouraged their destruction. His phone contained screenshots of the camera's installation and deleted photographs taken after the explosion, linking him directly to the crime.
Community Impact and Police Response
Detective Superintendent James Derham, who leads local policing in the Bexley area, condemned Rees's actions, stating that it was "miraculous that nobody was killed or seriously injured." He emphasised Rees's "complete disregard for the welfare and safety" of residents and travellers in the area, attributing the attack to his dissatisfaction with the ULEZ scheme.
DS Derham also praised the efforts of the Counter-Terrorism Police and Bexley officers in handling the case, noting that such damage is "completely unacceptable" and demonstrates the severe consequences of extreme actions. The ULEZ camera targeted in this incident had been installed earlier on the same day but was unrelated to another individual who had cut down a camera, who was also identified and convicted.
Background on ULEZ and Ongoing Issues
The ULEZ scheme requires drivers to pay a daily charge based on their vehicle's emissions levels, aiming to reduce air pollution in London. Since its expansion to cover all of London in 2023, ULEZ cameras have faced repeated vandalism and attacks. These cameras are crucial for Transport for London (TfL) to monitor vehicles entering and exiting the zone, making such incidents a significant concern for enforcement and public safety.
Rees told jurors that he joined anti-ULEZ Facebook groups out of "boredom" and for a sense of community, highlighting how online platforms can fuel opposition to environmental policies. He is scheduled to be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court at a later date, pending further legal proceedings.
