A 63-year-old man from south-east London has been found guilty of causing a massive explosion that blew up a ULEZ camera — and wrecked nearby cars, homes, and even a child’s bedroom. His motive? Opposition to the ULEZ scheme.
Homemade Bomb Blasts ULEZ Camera to Smithereens
Kevin Rees, from Sidcup, planted a homemade bomb under a newly installed ULEZ camera on 6 December 2023. The metal cylinder packed with black powder exploded with such force it scattered shrapnel over 100 metres, shredded car tyres, shattered windows, and damaged walls and garden sheds nearby.
“It was miraculous that nobody was killed or seriously injured. Rees showed complete disregard for public safety just because he was unhappy with the ULEZ scheme,” said Detective Superintendent James Derham, head of local policing in Bexley.
Forensics and Social Media Slip-Up Break the Case
- Experts found black powder residue inside the explosive device.
- Police raided Rees’s home, discovering chemical powders and homemade stun guns.
- He posted on social media urging others to damage ULEZ cameras.
- Rees photographed the camera installation — then deleted the images after the blast.
Rees was arrested on 18 December after an in-depth Counter Terrorism Policing London probe. He now faces charges including three counts of possessing prohibited weapons.
Police Praise Community, Warn of Deadly Consequences
Detective Superintendent Derham thanked the police team and local community for their support during the investigation. He warned: “This incident should send a strong message about the dangers of homemade explosives and the severe consequences of such reckless acts.”
Rees is set to be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in the coming weeks. What happened wasn’t mere vandalism — it was a dangerous crime that could have cost lives.
