A 63-year-old man, Kevin Rees, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for deliberately detonating a homemade explosive beside a ULEZ camera in south-east London. The incident occurred on December 6, 2023, on Willersley Avenue, shortly after the camera had been installed. Rees, of Sidcup, was convicted of causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious damage to property. The court determined that the offence had a terrorism connection, resulting in the 15-year sentence.
According to investigators, Rees drove from his home to nearby Shuttle Close in a Smart car and walked to the camera carrying a homemade explosive. He planted the device, lit a fuse, and quickly left the area. The resulting blast caused significant damage to nearby vehicles and properties, but fortunately, no one was injured. A van parked opposite the camera was damaged, and the tyre of another vehicle was blown out. Shrapnel penetrated a passing car and struck the bottom of a passenger seat.
The explosion also damaged a wall, front porch, shed, and children's playhouse. One piece of metal travelled more than 100 metres, striking the window frame of a child's bedroom. Police said the consequences could have been far more serious, and it was "miraculous" that nobody was killed or seriously injured. Detective Chief Superintendent James Derham, who leads local policing in Bexley, said Rees had demonstrated a disregard for public safety because of his opposition to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme.
Investigators from Counter Terrorism Policing London established that Rees had been motivated by his opposition to the ULEZ scheme. The investigation intensified after forensic examination of remnants recovered from the scene established that black powder had been used in the device. Counter Terrorism Policing London officers arrested Rees on December 18, 2023, and searched his home, recovering materials indicating his interest in chemicals that could be used to manufacture explosives.
Police also recovered a sealed package containing aluminium powder and a separate quantity of iron oxide, which could be used in low-explosive compositions. Investigators found social-media posts in which Rees repeatedly discussed ULEZ cameras and encouraged their destruction. A photograph on his phone showed the Willersley Avenue camera being installed on the day of the explosion, which was deleted the following day.
The court also heard that three homemade stun guns were recovered from Rees's address, and he was convicted on three counts of possessing prohibited weapons. At sentencing, the judge commended the investigation team for its work in establishing Rees's role in the attack. Derham said the case demonstrated the potentially severe consequences of using homemade explosives and stressed that damaging public infrastructure could put members of the public at serious risk.
Rees was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, October 2, 2026, bringing the nearly three-year investigation to a close. The sentence includes three years for possessing the prohibited stun guns, to run concurrently. The incident highlights the potential dangers of homemade explosives and the importance of investigating and prosecuting those who engage in such activities.
Key points
- Kevin Rees was sentenced to 15 years in prison for detonating a homemade explosive near a ULEZ camera in south-east London.
- The incident occurred on December 6, 2023, on Willersley Avenue, and caused significant damage to nearby vehicles and properties.
- Rees was motivated by his opposition to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme.
