Vandals set fire to speed camera

The camera was installed after several accidents

A speed camera in south Wales has been set on fire by vandals for a third time, road safety campaigners have revealed.

The camera on the A48 in Caerwent in Monmouthshire was installed on the stretch of road in 2002 after a series of accidents including one fatal.

Since it was installed, Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership said it has reduced the number of crashes.

This is the first time the camera has been destroyed by fire.

Between 1998 and 2000, one person died and seven others received serious injuries in collisions with 10 other people suffering injuries from other collisions.

The camera has worked in reducing the number of accidents on the A48 in Caerwent but each time it is vandalised and put out of action, all road users are put at risk Phil Davies, Mid & South Wales Safety Camera Partnership

A speed camera was installed and campaigners have said it has cut the number of crashes with just one collision resulting in slight injures.

Phil Davies, manager of Mid & South Wales Safety Camera Partnership, said: "People seem to think we can place cameras where they can make the most money.

"This is not true. We can only put cameras where people have been killed or seriously injured, at sites of community concern or at road works.

"The figures speak for themselves. The camera has worked in reducing the number of accidents on the A48 in Caerwent but each time it is vandalised and put out of action, all road users are put at risk.

"This is a criminal offence and we are pulling out all the stops to catch those responsible," he added.

A replacement camera has been put in place.