Police hunt Cornish 'blade runner' who hacked down speed camera at night in raid that echoes attacks on Sadiq Khan's ULEZ scheme

Police are on the hunt for a Cornish ‘blade runner’ who hacked down a speed camera in the middle of the night – in a raid reminiscent of the damage inflicted on the Ulez cameras in the capital.

It is one of the latest acts in a wave of vandalism to sweep the UK, with Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ scheme being targeted and the Met reporting traffic lights and cameras being damaged in the capital.

This latest incident, which is believed to have occurred on November 30 on the A390 at Drakewalls, Gunnislake, saw a maintenance panel ripped off and wires inside sliced through.

CCTV footage shows a man in a white jacket walking down the street with his hands in his pockets and his hood up. He appears to have glasses on.

The attack was the fourth in a series of incidents which happened across Cornwall in November.

Police on the hunt for a Cornish ‘blade runner’ who hacked down a speed camera in the middle of the night have released CCTV footage in the wake of the attack

It is believed the incident on the A390 at Drakewalls, Cornwall happened on the morning of Thursday, November 30

The vandalism shows a maintenance panel ripped off and wires inside sliced through

Speed cameras in Longdowns, near Falmouth and Penryn on the A394 road to Helston, and on the A394 at Trewennack had previously been hacked down.

A few weeks prior to those incidents on the A39 at Perranarworthal between Truro and Falmouth.

Now police have released footage of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident at Drakewalls.

The CCTV footage shows a man pictured in who they believe he may be able to assist with their enquiries.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: ‘Police received reports of criminal damage to a road safety camera.

‘Officers investigating the incident would like to identify the man pictured in the footage as they believe he may be able to assist with their enquiries.

‘Call police with information on 101, or via our website here, quoting reference number 50230314254.

‘Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.’

These attacks are similar to those on the Ulez cameras when Sadiq Khan expanded the scheme to cover the whole of Greater London – which were stolen or damaged 1,000 times in seven months.

There have been a spate of camera attacks in the county causing division between those in favour of the devices and those who see them as a cash cow.

Pictured: The aftermath of vandalism which saw two 30mph speed cameras in Cornwall chopped down in November

Anti-ULEZ campaigners, known as the Blade Runners, claim to have disconnected or destroyed at least 500 of the 2,700 cameras

The attacks on speed cameras echo those on Ulez cameras and vans in protest

Cornwall Councillor Peter Williams, who represents Perranarworthal, previously said: ‘It is absolutely horrendous why people go and do these things under the noses of where people live.

‘These cameras were not put there on a whim – they were put there after years of gathering evidence and proof.

‘I don’t understand why these people can’t see the cameras are there to protect everyone, including drivers.’

He added the cameras would be reinstated as soon as possible.

Ruth Gripper, who will challenge for the Truro and Falmouth seat for the Liberal Democrats at the next general election, added: ‘This is really disappointing and an affront to the local community.

‘Speed cameras don’t just get put in willy nilly.

‘Speeding is dangerous and makes life a misery for local residents.

‘Cameras are only installed as a last resort after a lot of work by residents and monitoring by the council – it took the community in Perranarworthal six years of consistent effort to get cameras installed.

‘Cutting speed cameras down like this is a totally futile gesture that costs the taxpayer thousands of pounds.

‘It is deeply worrying that an individual or individuals feel able to take the law into their own hands in this way and I hope the police will find those responsible.

‘I encourage anyone with information about this or previous incidents to contact the police as soon as possible.’

The attacks on speed cameras echo those on Ulez cameras and vans in protest.

Opponents to the Ulez – who call themselves ‘Blade Runners’ – slash the van’s tyres, spray paint cameras and smash windows.

ULEZ attack in Chislehurst, London in the latest spree of attacks

Footage seen by MailOnline, has shown the moment one group used a tipper truck with ‘ULEZ Camera’ to block the van in London.

Activists, one dressed as a dinosaur and another wearing a dog costume, then mock ULEZ officials, who are speaking to two officers from the Metropolitan Police.

‘You’ve got us for company and we’re very nice, we keep you company, don’t we,’ one ULEZ protester cheekily says to the two men in charge of the enforcement van.

The woman then turns to the pair of female police officers as they walk away from the scene, and says: ‘Peaceful protest is allowed in this country.’

‘Yes, yes,’ one officer replies before they get in their car and drive off, leaving the activists to continue with their bizarre protest.

Later, the person in the inflatable dinosaur suit is seen waddling towards to two men, as another activist holds a sign saying ‘ULEZ scam’ in front of the van’s ANPR camera.