A woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s were arrested and subsequently bailed on suspicion of criminal damage and causing danger to road users. The arrests followed an incident on 28 August in Ilfracombe, Devon, where wires at the top of a set of traffic lights were cut.
Footage of the incident, showing an older woman cutting wires with pliers while a man supported a ladder, was posted to social media and gained attention. Those involved are reportedly linked to a group known as "Blade Runners", who describe traffic scanners as "phased array electronic assault weapons" capable of mass surveillance and causing health issues.
Similar incidents of traffic scanner damage have been reported in other areas. In May, police in Cambridge sought information after nearly 200 traffic detector units were damaged, and in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, 10 units were vandalised within a week. A pensioner in County Durham is also facing trial for allegedly damaging units on eight sets of traffic lights.
Professor Susan Grant-Muller of the University of Leeds's Institute for Transport Studies stated that the targeted sensors monitor vehicle volume and pedestrian numbers to help traffic flow, and do not record personal information. Tanya Braun, director of external affairs for Living Streets, noted that better monitoring technology can improve pedestrian safety.