Pictured: Anti-ULEZ suspect sabotaging one of Sadiq Khan's hated cameras as Met Police say attacks on CCTV systems now total 288 The Met launched an operation to crackdown on ULEZ camera vandals in April By Arthur Parashar Published: 04:30 EDT, 18 August 2023 | Updated: 05:04 EDT, 18 August 2023 e-mail View comments The Met Police has released a picture of an anti-ULEZ suspect sabotaging one of Sadiq Khan 's hated cameras. The Met launched an operation to crackdown on criminals vandalising cameras in April and as of August 1, there have been a total of 288 attacks on the CCTV systems. The force said that across the four months, there have been approximately 185 reports of cables being damaged, 164 cameras being stolen and 38 were obscured. Multiple offences can be linked to one camera such as the cable being snipped and then stolen. The Met this morning issued a photo of a man, wearing a hi-vis jacket and a hard hat, who they are looking to speak to in connection with four offences in Hillingdon, Harrow and Uxbridge on Saturday, June 17. Harrow and Hillingdon were part of a council coalition which challenged the ULEZ expansion but this was denied by the High Court last month. Meanwhile, Uxbridge found itself at the centre of the ULEZ debate as the expansion was blamed for Labour's narrow by-election defeat to the Conservatives. It comes amid a campaign of anti-ULEZ action from groups - including the 'Blade Runner' organisation - who have regularly targeted cameras across London . The Met Police has released a picture of an anti-ULEZ suspect sabotaging one of Sadiq Khan's hated cameras The expansion of the zone to cover all Greater London, set for August 29, is part of the Mayor of London's bid to reduce pollution emitted by 'older' cars Met Police Commander Owain Richards said today: 'These are clearly unacceptable acts of criminality and we have a team of officers investigating and identifying those responsible. 'We are providing a proportionate policing response, balancing these incidents against the wide range of operational demand and crime we must respond to across London. 'We are working closely with Transport for London and alongside our investigation into offences already committed we are supporting them identify new ways to prevent further cameras from being damaged or stolen. EXCLUSIVE: Moment anti-ULEZ 'Blade Runner' brazenly sabotages camera using a tree lopper - as underground activists wage campaign to bring down Sadiq Khan's low-emission monitors Advertisement 'We are continually reviewing where we need to focus our efforts and we will continue to do that over the coming weeks to ensure we are providing the service Londoners expect from us.' A total of 2,750 new ANPR cameras are planned to be installed as the date for Mr Khan's hated ULEZ expansion looms. So far almost 1,900 are in place. The expansion of the zone to cover all Greater London, set for August 29, is part of the Mayor of London's bid to reduce pollution emitted by 'older' cars. It could see some drivers charged £12.50 a day - amounting to £4,562.50 for the year. MailOnline revealed earlier this week that security measures are being beefed up on ULEZ cameras in a battle to stop 'Blade Runners' from cutting wires. Pictures and footage have emerged on TikTok and Facebook of a black metal box surrounding the cables in an apparent move to protect the wiring. Met Police officers are continuing to work with TfL to 'proactively tackle the targeting of ULEZ cameras across London'. They face strict opposition from the Blade Runner group who vowed in July they would stop at nothing until they had taken down every single one of the ULEZ cameras. One of the secretive Blade Runners met MailOnline and promised: 'We are going to take down every single one no matter what'. On Monday, new footage emerged of a suspected member of the group brazenly sabotaging a camera using a tree lopper. The controversial scheme is set to force Londoners to pay £12.50-a-day to drive in the capital from August 29 if their cars don't meet certain environmental standards A black metal box can be seen beneath the ULEZ camera as Transport for London beefs up security in a bid to stop vandals from snipping the wires The new security measure by TfL (left) compared to when the first batch of ULEZ cameras which were installed (right) A secret army is vandalising and stealing Sadiq Khan's Ulez cameras. Two of the 'Blade Runners' previously showed MailOnline some of the cameras they had taken down The hooded masked figure strolls towards the ULEZ camera attached to a traffic light believed to be outside The Swan and Mitre Greene King pub in Bromley, south-east London, and snips the cable. EXCLUSIVE New ULEZ cameras with 'increased security' are rolled out with countermeasures to stop wires being cut - as TFL strikes back in battle against 'Blade Runners' who sabotage low-emission monitors Advertisement One woman smoking a cigarette looks around at the dark-clothed figure before carrying on with her conversation, while a bearded man with sunglasses on his head films the vandalism on his phone. The camera then pans to the left as the Blade Runner casually walks to another ULEZ camera less than 300 feet away - opposite Bromley Magistrates' Court - and uses the gardening tool to cut the wire which then can be seen dangling. Earlier this month, a Blade Runner also climbed a lamppost and used a drill to tear down an enforcement camera in Bromley. Bromley is part of the area where the ULEZ will soon expand with its local authority one of the coalition of councils who unsuccessfully challenged Mr Khan's plans in the High Court. The same video appeared on the group London by Londoner's TikTok page on Saturday to backdrop music of 'Legend' by Marcos Yap. The viral video had been viewed more than 320,000 times and had more than 19,000 likes and 1,900 comments on the social media platform. Many said the Blade Runners are the 'heroes we never knew we would need' with some also calling for them to be given a 'medal of honour' and be nominated for King Charles' Honours List. Since April the covert group has been stealing and vandalising the Mayor of London's ULEZ cameras. Share or comment on this article: Pictured: Anti-ULEZ suspect sabotaging one of Sadiq Khan's hated cameras as Met Police say attacks on CCTV systems now total 288 e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules . 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