Mobile speed cameras targeted in Melbourne vandalism attacks
Vandals are targeting mobile speed cameras in Melbourne suburbs, slashing tyres, smashing windows and even ramming cars. The union representing drivers has had enough.
Police & Courts
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The state’s private mobile traffic camera operator has become a target of multiple brazen and violent acts of vandalism in the last month, prompting calls for their contract to be dumped.
Private operator SERCO has been targeted at least nine times in just four weeks with hooded vandals smashing windows, slashing tyres and ramming parked vehicles.
In one case a chemical substance was poured onto a car causing the tyres to deflate.
The Herald Sun understands the mobile traffic cameras have become a target because they return to the same locations.
The Community and Public Sector Union is calling for SERCO to be removed from their contract and Victoria Police to assume operations to improve the safety of mobile camera operators.
They said the state government continued to place staff at risk and labelled the operation as “shambolic”.
“Our staff are subject to serious violence by continuing to use locations that have a history of vehicle attacks despite multiple reports,” CPSU spokeswoman Karen Batt said.
“Current SERCO processes don’t automatically advise police of when these crimes occur.
“The union is calling for the privatised operator to be removed from their contract and Victoria Police to assume operations to improve the safety of mobile camera operators.
“WorkSafe have also been called in to investigate this shambolic unsafe service deliverer.”
The Herald Sun has obtained in-vehicle camera footage of the latest dangerous attack from Wells Rd in Edithvale where a rear window was smashed by a hammer-wielding man dressed in a hoodie.
Cameras have been vandalised in locations including:
NEPEAN HIGHWAY in Brighton East;
WARRANDYTE RD in Ringwood North;
WELLINGTON RD in Rowville;
EDITHVALE RD in Chelsea and
BAXTER-TOORADIN RD in Pearcedale.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said police would examine the locations of the cameras.
“If a particular area has a particular safety issue that has arisen, we then have the capacity to deactivate it,” Mr Patton said.
“When we have a spike of those (attacks), we sit down and go ‘is there something occurring, or is it a random matter’.
“We won’t put the lives of operators at risk.”
The state government and SERCO have been contacted for comment.