View Full Version : Criminal Damage to Speed Cameras
Captain Nemo
27-04-05, 10:04 AM
yesterday as part of my work for the highways authority i was asked to go take photographs of 3 speed cameras that had been vandalised near wetherby.
along a 2 mile stretch of rural road, national speed limit, no schools, ped crossings or traffic signals, not much of anything except hedges and fields
2 Gatso's, and 1 Truvello camera have been pushed over and totally uprooted from the ground, and then run over, possibly by a jcb or similar, there is yellow paint on the camera poles, similar to that used on a lot of plant.
this is criminal damage which will cost in the region of 30 grand to repair, and have no fear ....it will come out of our pockets.
however, having personally had my portrait taken on several occasions in the last few years, and generally being against the use of greed cameras, but very much in favour or being busted by a real life police officer,
i have to admire the spirit.
well done boys....or girls..... :twisted:
Flamin_Squirrel
27-04-05, 10:09 AM
If the vast sums of money GATSOs brought in were used to pay for more police to actualy make the roads safer I don't think people would be so anoyed. As it is, the fines just pay for new cameras, and the ********s who operate them so I can't say I'm too upset to read about this 8)
PoRk ChOp
27-04-05, 10:10 AM
8)
Ceri JC
27-04-05, 10:10 AM
Good work :)
I heard one constabulary had problems with one particular camera being destroyed and it happened so often they stationed a police officer to guard it! Idea: Why not just put the policeman there to catch speeders, instead of the camera? :lol:
Why not just put the policeman there to catch speeders, instead of the camera? :lol:
Far too logical a solution and, because of the visible deterrent, wouldn't raise so much money.
Captain Nemo
27-04-05, 10:16 AM
that must have took some balls, it was done some time over the weekend, must have been done in the dark, although the road only goes to Thorpe arch trading estate (about 4000 staff, 24 hour operation) and a few small villages, it must have taken about 10-15 mins to knock em down and drive between them, 1 is right out side a cottage, in the dead of anight a jcb makes some noise , especially when breaking steel and concrete !!!!. Must have been seen by someone, i cant believe that no vehicles went down that road in 15 mins and didnt wonder what a jcb was doing in the middle of the night......
454697819
27-04-05, 10:24 AM
that must have took some balls, it was done some time over the weekend, must have been done in the dark, although the road only goes to Thorpe arch trading estate (about 4000 staff, 24 hour operation) and a few small villages, it must have taken about 10-15 mins to knock em down and drive between them, 1 is right out side a cottage, in the dead of anight a jcb makes some noise , especially when breaking steel and concrete !!!!. Must have been seen by someone, i cant believe that no vehicles went down that road in 15 mins and didnt wonder what a jcb was doing in the middle of the night......
but accordign to ur signature "you didnt do anything..it was like that when YOU got here"
are u trying to tell us sommat as u seem to know a lot about the times it might take :D :wink:
Godikus
27-04-05, 10:28 AM
There were probably lots of witnesses, but they were probably cheering. i know if i saw that i would be hard pushed to come forward. You would think a "safety camera" would be able to notice something as unsafe as a rampaging JCB, and would have aprehended it imediatly. must haev been over powerd :roll:
I heard one constabulary had problems with one particular camera being destroyed and it happened so often they stationed a police officer to guard it!
That happened near the Larkman estate in Norwich, the camera got destroyed almost as soon as it was repaired, so finally they actually removed the camera! =D>
Ceri JC
27-04-05, 10:38 AM
that must have took some balls, it was done some time over the weekend, must have been done in the dark, although the road only goes to Thorpe arch trading estate (about 4000 staff, 24 hour operation) and a few small villages, it must have taken about 10-15 mins to knock em down and drive between them, 1 is right out side a cottage, in the dead of anight a jcb makes some noise , especially when breaking steel and concrete !!!!. Must have been seen by someone, i cant believe that no vehicles went down that road in 15 mins and didnt wonder what a jcb was doing in the middle of the night......
But, be honest, had you seen someone 'JCBing' a camera, would you report it? :D
But, be honest, had you seen someone 'JCBing' a camera, would you report it? :D
:-k
:-dd
Biker Biggles
27-04-05, 11:00 AM
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
Long live Captain Gatso.If more people were willing to take "direct action"in this country we would have far less meddling from the "great and the good"imposing their will on us.Nuff said.
Captain Nemo
27-04-05, 11:01 AM
But, be honest, had you seen someone 'JCBing' a camera, would you report it? :D
:-k
:-dd
no your right, id probably give them a wave...
Why did they use a jcb? Surely a paint brush on a stick is easier?
what you realy need is a strong magnet.. and it reuseable.
Why did they use a jcb? Surely a paint brush on a stick is easier?
Not perminant enough :wink:
Though the only instance where i cant agree with it is if its a traffic light camera which I think are FAR more important and if there were a lot of them would raise even more revenue and actually save lives.
Benji
Why did they use a jcb? Surely a paint brush on a stick is easier?
Not perminant enough :wink:
Though the only instance where i cant agree with it is if its a traffic light camera which I think are FAR more important and if there were a lot of them would raise even more revenue and actually save lives.
Benji
Agreed!
They should have an army of them on the M25-A3 intersection :evil:
W*nkers in their Beemers going straight through reds everyday. :evil:
In my opinion EVERY single set of traffic lights in EVERY direction should have a camera although i think someone should sensibly cull a lot of unesseary traffic lights.
Coming from the north down the a3 to the m25 turn off is actually quite a step fast hill, its probably part they dont make it by stopping in time. I am surprised there isnt more accidents at places like these.
Benji
Coming from the north down the a3 to the m25 turn off is actually quite a step fast hill, its probably part they dont make it by stopping in time. I am surprised there isnt more accidents at places like these.
I know what you're saying but that wouldn't be an excuse if someone ploughed into the side of you at 60mph, would it?
"Sorry, I was going downhill, I couldn't slow down as quick"
"I don't give a sh*t mate, red light means STOP!"
:lol:
lol not giving an excuse just perhaps a reason because they cant be bothered to slow down and stop. If you did get t-boned you'd be in big trouble at those speeds and may even end up down on the M25 :shock:
Benji
Just bothers me that your light goes green and even with the delay between one set going to red and yours going to green, you still have to regularly wait for idiots who've gone through a BLATANT red.
Ho hum.
Totally agree though mate! :D
Oh totally its the one thing that gets me in a proper stroppy hissy fit when people jump lights, i absolutely hate it and it makes it worse when people tell me (usually none drivers or occasional drivers) i am dangerous merely because I drive over the speed limits? :roll:
Benji
SVeeedy Gonzales
27-04-05, 11:41 AM
JCB!?
What happened to the good old days, when a tyre thrown over the top of a gasto, plus a can of petrol for good measure used to suffice?
All this modern technology...
Captain Nemo
27-04-05, 12:16 PM
JCB!?
What happened to the good old days, when a tyre thrown over the top of a gasto, plus a can of petrol for good measure used to suffice?
All this modern technology...
this is yorkshire pal...
petrol costs money tha nos
and everyone knows that everyone in yorkshire has a tractor or JCB laying around......
being serious though, its a rural area ,lots of farms, farms often have plant equipment, also lots of local businesses that may have access to them..
i dont know what youd tell the boss though..
"please boss can i borrow the jcb this weekend i want to do some night digging !!!"
mrbizzy
27-04-05, 12:21 PM
Just bothers me that your light goes green and even with the delay between one set going to red and yours going to green, you still have to regularly wait for idiots who've gone through a BLATANT red.
Ho hum.
Totally agree though mate! :D
Oh totally its the one thing that gets me in a proper stroppy hissy fit when people jump lights, i absolutely hate it and it makes it worse when people tell me (usually none drivers or occasional drivers) i am dangerous merely because I drive over the speed limits? :roll:
Benji
The police gave a good piece of advice on bikesafe about this. They see plenty of incidents where bikers are 'claimed' (as they so charmingly put it) by light jumpers. It's generally because the drivers have no idea of just how fast a bike can get away from a standing start and so always reckon they'll be able to sneak through :evil:
The advice: always take a half second to check for jumpers before cracking it open - even with the delay you'll be away well ahead of the other traffic. Like most things on bikesafe it's obvious but i now do it as a matter of course.
Biker Biggles
27-04-05, 12:30 PM
The simple truth about traffic light cameras is that they are not cost effective.Far fewer drivers jump lights compared to those who exceed speed limits so the revenue from the cameras is limited.We all know why speed cameras are so common and its nothing to do with safety and everything to do with income generation.Traffic lights will allways come a poor second to that.
Agree with your thoughts on traffic lights and cameras Benji
Here's a bit of useless information:
If all the traffic lights in the UK were upgraded to use the newer LED lights, rather than light bulbs.... enough power would be saved to decommission a whole powerstation!
Here's a bit of useless information:
If all the traffic lights in the UK were upgraded to use the newer LED lights, rather than light bulbs.... enough power would be saved to decommission a whole powerstation!
Shocking! :shock: :roll:
The simple truth about traffic light cameras is that they are not cost effective.Far fewer drivers jump lights compared to those who exceed speed limits so the revenue from the cameras is limited.We all know why speed cameras are so common and its nothing to do with safety and everything to do with income generation.Traffic lights will allways come a poor second to that.
I almost want to disagree with this one but whilst you are probably right at the moment jumping red lights is becoming more and more acceptable in society, like I said in another thread, EVERYONE is doing it now, bikers, drivers, women, men, black, white, blue, with kids, with granny in the back. It simply doesnt matter who you are.
Whilst it may never be a big as 'problem' as say speeding is, jumping red lights is something that is becoming frightful popular and can ONLY lead to more accidents and danger on the roads.
And good advice bizzy though what I do find sickening and frightning is that if you ever did get hit still I have heard you may still be held partly to blame?!? Oh ask you on gods earth how? How on earth could I? CAN I be held responsible for another persons actions that I am not in control of in a sitaution where by the laws set down by the highway code say that red you stop, green you can go? Surely these laws are there for a reason? Surely they say that if you jump a light and hit someone you have no place to be there and therefore it is your fault and you are entirely to blame!
Oh and Billy this is now why *even I* turn off monitors, TV's and other devices and don't leave them on standby anymore.
Benji
its not just the red light jumpers, its the people that speed away from the crossing when they can see that the other lanes lights have just gone amber (Without even looking) that really p*ss me off.
nice job on the speed camera tho captain licence saver :)
mabe it was a drunk farmer driving home after a yocal lock in ?
would have thought the gatso's would have had enough sense to take a picture of him before he escaped and send it to the local police station via MMS.
northwind
27-04-05, 06:16 PM
I heard one constabulary had problems with one particular camera being destroyed and it happened so often they stationed a police officer to guard it! Idea: Why not just put the policeman there to catch speeders, instead of the camera? :lol:
Urban myth...
chazzyb
27-04-05, 07:31 PM
If all the traffic lights in the UK were upgraded to use the newer LED lights, rather than light bulbs.... enough power would be saved to decommission a whole powerstation!
Or stop wind farm pollution.
If all the traffic lights in the UK were upgraded to use the newer LED lights, rather than light bulbs.... enough power would be saved to decommission a whole powerstation!
Or stop wind farm pollution.
Completely disagree - there's nothing wrong with wind farms. I think they look stunning. The environmental lobby has got to accept that if burning fossil fuels is out, nuclear is out, then we have to have electricity somehow. We can't generate enough using lemon juice and paper clips. And wind farms don't pollute, and they leave no nasty legacy for future generations to deal with.
Sorry, derailed...
Hail thee whom destroy oh vile cash farm.
They've put up another three on a road where I live. No accidents there since time began. :)
SVeeedy Gonzales
27-04-05, 08:37 PM
its not just the red light jumpers, its the people that speed away from the crossing when they can see that the other lanes lights have just gone amber (Without even looking) that really p*ss me off.
Or the ones in London who slowly drift forwards until they're almost blocking traffic that has the green light. I've seen one guy do that and all the peds on the crossing just took it and slowly moved round the car (he was barely moving while they were doing this) and didn't say anything... mad... :shock:
Captain Nemo
28-04-05, 09:21 AM
apparently this was on callendar last night (local yokel news prog)
it is thought that someone stole a piece of plant, they arent sure what, and went on a 30 mile rampage about 4-5 am sunday, several farmgates have been knocked down and other bits of street furniture used as target practice.
the police supposedly believe that the purpetrator(s) then parked the plant back in the compound, berfore fleeing the scene.
sounds like an inside job to me, if it was a jcb you would have to know how to work it, the hydraulics for the bucket and back hoe arent something you would just pick up, and it didnt look like someone had taken several attempts to knock the cameras down, they were knocked over cleanly.
could this be a politically active roadworker !!!!!
Ceri JC
28-04-05, 09:28 AM
Completely disagree - there's nothing wrong with wind farms. I think they look stunning. The environmental lobby has got to accept that if burning fossil fuels is out, nuclear is out, then we have to have electricity somehow. We can't generate enough using lemon juice and paper clips. And wind farms don't pollute, and they leave no nasty legacy for future generations to deal with.
Sorry, derailed...
Agreed. I think they look fantastic. People who say they ruin the view seem to forget that we have pylons absolutely everywhere, we just don't notice them because we're used to them.
Oh and Billy this is now why *even I* turn off monitors, TV's and other devices and don't leave them on standby anymore.
Likewise :thumbsup:
riktherider
28-04-05, 09:50 AM
The other good thing with wind farms is that they make no noise or light pollution either. What about all the ones they put out to sea?? people have been moaning about the sight of those but they are so far out you cant even see them!!.
but in the long term, we are in the **** because with out all the fossil fuels, no petrol and no bikes :shock: :(
they say we can move to electric power.....sod that, no pwer behind them, and they are boring.
with a majority of traffic lights around my area, they have got quite a few cameras to stop people jumping the lights, and i have seen more people get caught on those cameras then i have seen on the speed cameras on the dual carridgeways.
speeding isnt the problem on roads like dualcarrisgeways.
i dont know if anyone knows the wessex way by pass through bournemouth, but there is no access or footpaths on this stretch of road, so there is no one in danger except for the other motorists, and it isnt the speed which causes the problems. it is arrogant people who dont look when they change lanes, exit slip ways, no indicating and other stupid moves like those.
Godikus
28-04-05, 01:45 PM
if it was a jcb you would have to know how to work it, the hydraulics for the bucket and back hoe arent something you would just pick up
You seem to know enough to operate one
it didnt look like someone had taken several attempts to knock the cameras down, they were knocked over cleanly.
and you seen to think quite highly of the amount of precision that was put into this act of vandalism (or art as some would call it :wink: )
it's ok. your secret is safe
Captain Nemo
28-04-05, 02:02 PM
if it was a jcb you would have to know how to work it, the hydraulics for the bucket and back hoe arent something you would just pick up
You seem to know enough to operate one
it didnt look like someone had taken several attempts to knock the cameras down, they were knocked over cleanly.
and you seen to think quite highly of the amount of precision that was put into this act of vandalism (or art as some would call it :wink: )
it's ok. your secret is safe
hhmmmmm..
i think i see what your getting at....
nah, ive only ever told people where to dig with em, ( im a highways engineer), ive worked on al lot of construction sites , and theres a real big difference between some one who knows what hes doing and a navvie having a go, i wouldnt know where to start to be honest,
always fancied a go though.
and before any comments come back, i have a cast iron allaby last weekend, sat night i was singing to 600 peasants at a caravan park and sunday i was singing to 12 peasants in a pontefract WMC.....
is it vandalism or creative countryside management?
The other good thing with wind farms is that they make no noise or light pollution either.
Not true - ask those who live near them.
They tend to be located in rural area where, particularly at night, the backgroud noise level is very low. They can be easily heard.
I like the look of them though - something very calming about watching the blades turning. Not so calming as watching a Gatso being being flatten though, I bet :wink:
Carsick
28-04-05, 03:42 PM
The other good thing with wind farms is that they make no noise or light pollution either.
Not true - ask those who live near them.
I've lived pretty much in the shadow of the ones above Aberystwyth. You can just about hear them, but they're not an issue in the slightest. The owls woke me up regulary and the cows and sheep always woke me up in the morning.
I think that all the placements I've seen so far have been very well chosen in terms on aesthetics. I like the wind mills, but I can see how having too large flocks of them could be an eyesore.
The other good thing with wind farms is that they make no noise or light pollution either.
Not true - ask those who live near them.
They tend to be located in rural area where, particularly at night, the backgroud noise level is very low. They can be easily heard.
I like the look of them though - something very calming about watching the blades turning. Not so calming as watching a Gatso being being flatten though, I bet :wink:
i dont like em.
they look really evil and sinister. mabe if they were the same shape as the little wind things you get at seaside resorts . . ..
not to say im against them tho, they should stop using petrol in cars and reserve it for motorcycle use only :)
infact. . . while were at it, cant we just BAN deisil ?
norvidick
28-04-05, 06:09 PM
If you read todays sun it was a joy rider in a thirty ton dump truck good on him but no dought they will be insured but if they are not then we will all have to pay for themm one way or another.
****.
SVeeedy Gonzales
29-04-05, 10:13 AM
Speaking of red traffic lights... is it just me who actually likes them sometimes? In London it's a great opportunity to either get to the front of a load of traffic, or if I'm already at the front, a great excuse to go burning off as the lights change with (usually) a nice clear run in front of me for a bit... it's not often that red lights are a problem on a bike.
DKrider
29-04-05, 10:36 AM
Hi - a little late in the discussion, but when I was in wales yesterday (live in DK mostly) heard from the company that I work for that they have recieved an interesting job - to try and see if we can fireproof a Gatso. Seems that people have taken to putting tires arount them, igniting these and thus toasting the film inside! We were asked to come up with a solution costing max. £10.000 which would make this method of retirement obsolete! Really mixed feelings about this one.....
DKrider
29-04-05, 10:37 AM
Hi - a little late in the discussion, but when I was in wales yesterday (live in DK mostly) heard from the company that I work for that they have recieved an interesting job - to try and see if we can fireproof a Gatso. Seems that people have taken to putting tires arount them, igniting these and thus toasting the film inside! We were asked to come up with a solution costing max. £10.000 which would make this method of retirement obsolete! Really mixed feelings about this one.....
wyrdness
29-04-05, 10:41 AM
I think that all the placements I've seen so far have been very well chosen in terms on aesthetics. I like the wind mills, but I can see how having too large flocks of them could be an eyesore.
When I was in Norfolk last year, they were building a wind farm off the coast. You could see them from the beach, but they didn't spoil the view of the horizon and you certainly couldn't hear them at that distance.
busasean
03-05-05, 09:38 PM
once they finished desroying the cameras they should start on the homes of traffic coppers and the dicks that work for the speed camera partnerships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People who jump red lights when I'm waiting to turn right in the works van get just enough of a shock to make them think about doing it twice.
hall13uk
03-05-05, 11:18 PM
once they finished desroying the cameras they should start on the homes of traffic coppers and the dicks that work for the speed camera partnerships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOU ARE WAY OUT THERE FELLA !!!!! i must strongly disagree there.
there just people trying to earn a living i have a few friends who are police officers 1 is a traffic cop. there top people i have the upmost respect for them :thumbsup: . Good people trying to make the world a safer place. As for the people who work on the cameras its not a job i would do but someone has to.
northwind
03-05-05, 11:28 PM
Yup, someone had their wrists slapped for something they knew fine well was wrong and went crying to the forum I think... I run a small plate, black visor, race can, and I speed from time to time, and if I ever get busted for it I'll take it like a man, nottake it out on the nearest patsy...
SVeeedy Gonzales
04-05-05, 07:31 AM
once they finished desroying the cameras they should start on the homes of traffic coppers and the dicks that work for the speed camera partnerships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My sis works for one of the consultants who do all of that... it's not that they malicious or nasty... they just really believe that they're making the world a better and safer place by doing what they do... you should hear her hark on about how safe we'd all be and how much more environmentally friendly we'd be with 50mph maximum speed limits... :shock: Sisters, eh? Ah, bless... :wink:
Flamin_Squirrel
04-05-05, 07:48 AM
once they finished desroying the cameras they should start on the homes of traffic coppers and the dicks that work for the speed camera partnerships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My sis works for one of the consultants who do all of that... it's not that they malicious or nasty... they just really believe that they're making the world a better and safer place by doing what they do... you should hear her hark on about how safe we'd all be and how much more environmentally friendly we'd be with 50mph maximum speed limits... :shock: Sisters, eh? Ah, bless... :wink:
This really worries me. If they people who ran the cameras just said "you're breaking the law, and we're going to take advantage by screwing you out of money" I'd probably be less anoyed. As it is, they actualy seem to be starting to belive the ******** they're spouting :shock:
Captain Nemo
04-05-05, 10:03 AM
it is no coincidence that companies that produce the technology play a big part in lobbying the government.
A major chunk of the data the government receives regarding road safety and speed is supplied by parties with an interest in the production of cameras and related technology.
to me this seems a little like putting Michael Jackson in charge of childminding...........
SVeeedy Gonzales
04-05-05, 10:45 AM
once they finished desroying the cameras they should start on the homes of traffic coppers and the dicks that work for the speed camera partnerships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My sis works for one of the consultants who do all of that... it's not that they malicious or nasty... they just really believe that they're making the world a better and safer place by doing what they do... you should hear her hark on about how safe we'd all be and how much more environmentally friendly we'd be with 50mph maximum speed limits... :shock: Sisters, eh? Ah, bless... :wink:
This really worries me. If they people who ran the cameras just said "you're breaking the law, and we're going to take advantage by screwing you out of money" I'd probably be less anoyed. As it is, they actualy seem to be starting to belive the ******** they're spouting :shock:
She can't drive either - has had a couple of goes and driven into bushes and things... wants to get a scooter ](*,) :-k :crutches:
The mind doth boggle...
It's like a lot of people - take admin/HR/IT people (at least at our place) - they think they're doing a great and important job, when really they're just wrecking things and causing lots of aggro. for everyone each time they bring in some new, dumb rule or plan... it doesn't make them bad people, but it doesn't make them any easier to get on with. Or to avoid punching after a few pints... :twisted:
busasean
04-05-05, 07:37 PM
once they finished desroying the cameras they should start on the homes of traffic coppers and the dicks that work for the speed camera partnerships!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU ARE WAY OUT THERE FELLA !!!!! i must strongly disagree there.
there just people trying to earn a living i have a few friends who are police officers 1 is a traffic cop. there top people i have the upmost respect for them . Good people trying to make the world a safer place. As for the people who work on the cameras its not a job i would do but someone has to.
ok, little over the top but not meant litterally!!!! firstly my brother is a copper and so is his wife (chief inspector) i am not anti police.- about 10 yrs ago i had my jaw broken assisting a copper arrest a guy. however now i have no respect for the police because of their stance on easy results.traffic police and speed cameras are sending the message that its ok to drive like a **** providing you dont speed. as for cans and no. plates, yes we all know the score and no we shouldnt moan if caught, however if the police could sort out serious crime that the public are wanting them to, then they could concentrate on the petty things.i live next door to a copper who is so fed up she is considering leaving. why? - because motorists are getting hammered compared to consistant criminals. this will be argued that its not down to the police but down to the courts, but who puts people before the courts? my brother will not summons speeders because of this! its called "priorities" and i would rather put someone in court/ fine them for intentional theft/damage/violence not for victimless excess speed! by the way i'm currently doing my I.A.M and a bikesafe course but for what???
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