Man charged after ULEZ camera explosion

A man has been charged in connection with an explosion at the site of a ULEZ camera in Sidcup, in December last year.

Following an investigation by the Met Police, Kevin Rees was charged via postal charge requisition with causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, contrary to section 2 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883. He was also charged with three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon, contrary to section 5(1)(b) Firearms Act 1968.

Police were called to reports of an explosion on 6 December, last year. The investigation was carried out by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command due to their specialism in dealing with incidents involving the use of explosives.

Rees was arrested in Sidcup on 18 December, on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, contrary to section two of the Explosive Substances Act 1883. He was released under investigation and subsequently charged as above.

He is set to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ court on Monday, 11 November.

Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, who leads local policing in the Bexley area, said: “We know that this incident caused much concern locally at the time. Local officers have continued to support the investigation team as they have diligently gone about gathering evidence in this case, working closely with the CPS, which has led to these charges being brought.

“The criminal justice process must now run its course and I would therefore ask people not to speculate further as we await the conclusion of this case at court.”

A second man, Stephen Richard Harwood-Stamper, was also arrested in Horsham on the same day on suspicion of conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, and criminal damage, contrary to section one of the Criminal Damage Act 1971. He was later released from investigation in relation to the explosion incident, but he was investigated in relation to a separate incident of alleged criminal damage to the ULEZ camera, which took place earlier on the same day.

He is charged with criminal damage, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971, and using a false plate whilst driving, contrary to section 44 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. He is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on 27 November.

The two incidents are not believed to be linked.