Swindon Borough Council 'appalled' after ANPR camera shot using air rifle
The council said the cameras were brought in to help with road safety
Swindon Borough Council's transport minister has said he is "appalled" after an ANPR camera installed in the city was destroyed after being shot by an air rifle.
ANPR camera, designed to recognise and record licence plates, were installed in five areas of the city earlier this month in an attempt to promote road safety.
However, on Wednesday (November 11th), it was reported that a camera placed on Akers Way was not functioning. Further enquiries found that it had been destroyed beyond repair after being shot by an air rifle.
A spokesperson for the Council confirmed it had been damaged, saying it was "disappointing", given the cost of installing such features.
Councillor Nick Gardiner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “I am appalled and deeply disappointed by this reckless, selfish and utterly stupid act of vandalism.
"Shooting at a camera installed to help improve road safety shows a complete disregard for the community and for the public money used to provide it.
“The camera on Akers Way was installed because residents raised concerns about traffic and speeding. Its purpose is to help us understand how the road is being used and identify what measures may be needed to make it safer. Whoever is responsible has set that work back and let down the residents who asked us to act.
“Their stupidity will now cost taxpayers thousands of pounds. That is money which could otherwise have supported services and improvements for residents. Instead, it must be spent replacing equipment that should still be doing its job. This is a completely unnecessary and unacceptable waste of public money.
“Residents have every right to be angry. They should not have to see work to address their concerns disrupted or be left footing the bill for somebody else’s senseless behaviour.
“We are working to replace the camera as quickly as possible. This vandalism will not deter us from listening to residents, tackling concerns about speeding and working to make our roads safer.”