Telford speed camera set on fire

A Telford speed camera - the first to be erected in Shropshire - has been set on fire by arsonists for the fourth time since it was installed.

Vandals who threw a tyre doused in petrol over the top of the camera in Bennetts Bank, Wellington, Telford, in the early hours of today before setting it alight were branded "highly irresponsible" by road safety chiefs.

West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership spokeswoman Vicki Bristow said officers were still assessing the damage to the camera this morning and did not, as yet, know whether film inside had been destroyed.

But she added: "The site was introduced due to the collision and casualty history on the road and a demonstrated speed problem.

"In Telford & Wrekin there has been a 33 per cent reduction in personal injury collisions and a 77 per cent reduction in killed or seriously injured collisions at camera sites in the borough.

"In terms of future enforcement activity, we are currently working with our partner agencies, including Telford & Wrekin Council and West Mercia Police, and there are a number of different possibilities we are exploring including using a mobile gatso or moving equipment from another site."

Wellington Fire Station watch manager Phil Davies confirmed the fire, at about 3am, had been set deliberately.

He added: "It is an unnecessary waste of public funds especially in the current climate.

"We all have mixed feelings about speed cameras but they are there for a reason and in this climate that is going to cost the taxpayer money, both in terms of replacing the camera and in us having to respond to it."

The camera in Bennetts Bank has been attacked three times before — in one incident, a motorist sliced it in half with an industrial circular saw.