Pensioner arrested on suspicion of cutting down speed camera in Wigan

A 67-year-old man has been questioned by police after two people were seen cutting down newly installed speed cameras on Saturday.

The arrest came after the men were seen cutting cameras using an angle grinder on Warrington Road, in Wigan, just days after other safety cameras were found lying on the ground on Wallgate and Spring Road.

Video footage also emerged on YouTube showing one camera being cut by a person on a bike as sparks flew off the stem of the camera.

A post by Greater Manchester Police Wigan West across Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) read: “On Saturday January 6th, officers on routine patrol located two men cutting down a new speed camera with an angle grinder on Warrington Road, Wigan.

“After a short foot pursuit one male was detained. The 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has since been released on bail.

“There have been a series of speed cameras cut down across the district over the Christmas period, so this is an excellent result for our team.”

The spate of attacks on the recently installed safety cameras comes after Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) announced late last year it had signed a contract with Jenoptik UK to upgrade speed cameras across the region, including Wigan borough.

The new cameras use state-of-the-art technology to catch motorists speeding in both directions of the roads they are positioned on. The cameras do not use road markings and do not use a flash either.

GMP has urged anyone with information on any of the attacks to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.