Man arrested after safety camera van attacked in Mid Ulster as police condemn ‘frightening ordeal’

Damage caused to a police safety camera van

A man has been arrested after a Road Safety Partnership camera van was attacked and damaged in Mid Ulster, leaving the vehicle off the road and prompting a fresh police appeal for witnesses.

The incident happened on Ballinderry Bridge Road, Coagh on Monday afternoon, 22 June, when a man allegedly approached the safety camera van and began throwing masonry at the vehicle, smashing windows and shouting abuse at the driver.

Police have now confirmed that a 39-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, 23 June, on suspicion of a number of offences, including criminal damage and common assault. He remains in police custody.

The attack has been strongly condemned by officers, who described the incident as a frightening experience for the driver and warned that safety camera operations play a vital role in preventing serious and fatal road collisions.

Camera van left damaged and off the road

Damage caused to a police safety camera van in Coagh

According to police, the Road Safety Partnership van was operating on Ballinderry Bridge Road at around 2.50pm when the incident occurred.

The suspect is alleged to have attacked the vehicle by throwing masonry at it before leaving the scene.

The damage caused was significant enough to take the van out of service while repairs are carried out.

Mid-Ulster Chief Inspector Trevor Campbell said the attack caused extensive damage to the vehicle.

“The front and passenger side windows of the vehicle were smashed, and the camera window and back door were cracked and dented,” he said.

“Fortunately the driver was not physically injured, but you can imagine this was a frightening ordeal which lasted for several minutes.

“The driver was doing their job, and to be subjected to such fear is unacceptable and appalling.”

Police highlight road safety role of camera vans

Chief Inspector Campbell said safety camera deployments are intended to reduce speeding and improve safety for everyone using Northern Ireland’s roads.

He stressed that speeding remains one of the so-called “fatal five” factors most commonly linked to serious and fatal collisions.

“The purpose of safety camera deployments, whether by fixed cameras, or in our mobile road safety vans, is to slow drivers’ speeds and keep everyone safer on the roads,” he said.

“Speeding is one of the ‘fatal five’ causes of collisions, and we deploy the vans to locations across Northern Ireland where there is a proven history of collisions, or where the local community has concerns and has requested speed enforcement action.

“They are there to help reduce serious and fatal collisions on our roads and are a key element in reducing drivers’ speeds.”

The senior officer added that reducing speed remains one of the most important actions road users can take to improve safety.

“One of the greatest contributions each road user can make is to reduce their speed,” he said.

“Speeding is a dangerous crime and poses a serious threat to other road users and we, as a Police Service, have a duty to detect those who break the law and deal with any offences.

“If we all stop speeding, road safety improves, lives can be saved and fewer people have to contend with life-changing injuries.”

Investigation continues

While an arrest has now been made, police say enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.

Officers are continuing to appeal for anyone who witnessed what happened, has information about the incident, or possesses dashcam or other footage that may assist investigators, to come forward.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1070 of 22/06/26.

Reports can also be submitted online via the PSNI non-emergency reporting portal at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation, but police say efforts are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack on the safety camera van and to gather all available evidence.