Moment a hooded duo cuts down pace digital camera amid 20mp pace restrict fury
This is the shocking moment a hooded duo sent a sea of bright sparks flying as they attempted to hack down a speed camera amid fury at 20mph speed limits in Wales.
Police have offered a £1,000 reward for information regarding two protesters who can be seen cutting down the 20ft high camera with what appears to be an angle grinder.
The individuals are shown to be slicing through the tall pole located on Llangyfelach Road in Treboeth, Swansea before it loudly crashes to the ground.
Authorities have been investigating the video – which emerged last month – as well as two other camera attacks which happened in Clydach and Pontardawe between October 2023 and April 2024.
South Wales Police have now announced anyone who can ‘provide details that lead to an arrest and/or charge’ will be rewarded £1,000.
South Wales Police have offered £1,000 for any information regarding a hooded duo who cut down a speed camera on Llangyfelach Road in Treboeth, Swansea (pictured)
The shocking footage shows the duo slicing the pole with what appears to be an angle grinder
The force told Swansea Bay News: ‘We are aware of footage circulating online which appears to show individuals cutting down a speed camera on Llangyfelach Road, Treboeth, Swansea.
‘Anyone who witnessed this incident or who can offer further information is asked to contact us
‘We are also investigating damage to speed cameras in Clydach and Pontardawe between October 2023 and April 2024.’
MailOnline has approached both South Wales Police and Swansea City Council for comment.
This comes amidst anger among those in Wales who have branded the introduction of the new speed limit law – which cost £34 million – as a ‘war on motorists’.
Former Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford introduced lowering the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in built-up areas to save lives and encourage more walking and cycling.
However before the law was even passed around half a million people signed a petition against the lower standard speed limit being introduced last year.
Despite the petition, Mark Drakeford and ex-Climate minister Lee Waters introduced the new 20mph across Wales.
The video which emerged in early May is being investigated by South Wales Police as well two camera attacks as Clydach and Pontardawe (stock image)
The vandalism comes as many Welsh motorists fumed over a new standard 20mph speed limit introduced by the devolved government (Pictured: A woman holds a sign during a protest against 20mph speed limits on September 23)
However a record number of motorists ignored the newly imposed rules – with more than 1,150 breaking the speed limit in April alone.
Altogether 2,100 motorists since January have flouted the default mandatory speed limit.
In April one motorist was even caught speeding along a 20mph along at a staggering 70mph.
The average speed for offences has crept up after being around 28mph since enforcement started.
Since Drakeford resigned the Welsh Government announced a review where some roads in Wales will revert to 30mph following the backlash.
Transport Secretary Ken Skates said the changes will address the concerns that ‘a lot of people’ have raised ‘on a consistent basis’.
‘We’ve put our hands up to say the guidance has to be corrected,’ he said.
This comes after vigilante drivers initially rebelled against the introduction of the new speed limit in March.
Mark Drakeford’s (pictured) Welsh Labour Government introduced the new go-slow limit last year
Labour minister Lee Waters (pictured) who introduced the unpopular countrywide 20mph speed limit in Wales, has since resigned
Andrew RT Davies (pictured), Conservative leader in the Welsh Parliament, welcomed Mr Waters’s resignation
Protestors fought back against lowered speed limits with more than 150 vandalised across the country since September.
One sign in Carmarthenshire was snapped in half, while others were sprayed with black paint to hide the 20 figures.
At the time Carmarthenshire County Council said it was becoming ‘increasingly concerned’ after ‘a spate of incidents’ towards road signs – including 20mph ones.
In Gwent, councils recorded at least 145 incidents of vandalism to 20mph signs by March 2024.
All councils said Welsh Government funding for new signs cover anticipated repair costs.
In March, Lee Waters, who introduced the unpopular countrywide speed limit announced his resignation via Twitter.
The ex-Minister for Climate Change had not only overseen the ban but also new roads being built in the country.
Waters who stepped away from his position and deleted his X account said the social media site had ‘stopped being fun a while ago’ after he revealed he was receiving a flood of unpleasant comments.
He said: ‘I now get a pile of malign comments for even the most innocuous posts
TheWelsh Government announced a review where some roads in Wales will revert to 30mph following backlash (pictured: damaged sign in Froncysyllte)
‘When I leave my transport role in a fortnight I’ll be deleting my account. Elon [Musk] can shove it up his X.’
Andrew RT Davies, Conservative leader in the Welsh Parliament, welcomed Mr Waters’s resignation in March.
He said: ‘Motorists and business owners across Wales will breathe a sigh of relief at this news.
‘The Deputy Minister’s time in post has been characterised by one anti-motorist policy after another, slowing Wales down and doing serious damage to our economy.
‘It’s time to scrap the road building ban, scrap the 20mph speed limit, and implement a transport policy that gets Wales moving.’
