Two men from Sidcup and Bromley, as well as three others, have been charged with a number of ULEZ-related crimes between them as part of a crackdown operation by the Metropolitan Police.

Joseph Nicolls, of Foots Cray High Street, was charged with criminal damage, malicious communications and handling stolen goods, as well as aiding or abetting the destruction of, or damage to, property valued over £5,000.

The 42-year-old has been bailed ahead of his trial which will take place at Woolwich Crown Court on June 10, 2024.

Stephen Nunn, 39, from West Wickham in Bromley was charged on Saturday, October 28 with criminal damage.

He has also been released on bail and will appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 13.

A 44-year-old man was also charged with criminal damage back in May, but his case was discontinued by the CPS on Friday, June 9.

Another man, 52, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has been bailed until Tuesday, December 19 pending further enquiries.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, October 2 on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed.

He has since been bailed and is to return in mid-December.

Between April 1 and October 31 this year, the Metropolitan Police has recorded 987 crimes relating to ULEZ cameras.

This includes 220 reports of stolen ULEZ cameras and 767 damaged ULEZ cameras.

In May, Metropolitan Police launched an operation to tackle ULEZ related crimes.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “From 1 April to 31 October 2023, the Met recorded 987 crimes relating to ULEZ cameras. 

“This includes 220 reports of cameras being stolen and 767 cameras being damaged.

“There have been five arrests and two charges in relation to ULEZ, they are as follows;

[A] Joseph Nicolls, 42 (28.03.81), of Foots Cray High Street, Sidcup, was charged with criminal damage, malicious communications and handling stolen goods, as well as aiding or abetting the destruction of, or damage to, property valued over £5,000. He has been bailed ahead of a trial at Woolwich Crown Court on 10 June 2024;

[B] A 44-year-old man was also charged in May with criminal damage but had their case discontinued by the CPS on Friday, 9 June.

[C] A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has been bailed until Tuesday, 19 December pending further enquiries;

[D] A 45-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, 4 October on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed. He has since been bailed to return on a date in mid-December;

[E] Stephen Nunn, 39 (31.10.83) of West Wickham, Bromley, was charged on Saturday, 28 October with criminal damage. He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Monday, 13 November.

“In May, an operation was launched by the Met to ensure a proportionate approach was in place to relation to ULEZ-related crimes.

“Please also note that a recorded crime can include multiple offences.

“The Met continues to treat criminal activity in relation to ULEZ seriously and has deployed considerable resources to our operation.

“Where there are possible lines of enquiry, local investigators will follow up using a range of investigative approaches including CCTV trawls, witness searches and an assessment of forensic opportunities.”