Dummy Speed Camera Sparks Debate in Catford Over Road Safety

A dummy speed camera that had been helping to calm traffic in south-east London has been taken down by the local authority.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the imitation camera appeared on Sandhurst Road in Catford earlier this week after residents raised concerns about dangerous driving and repeated collisions. The identity of whoever installed it remains unknown, but locals quickly labelled the individual a “hero” after noticing that motorists immediately began slowing down.

The device remained in place for only two days before Lewisham Council removed it using a crane. Officials warned that residents could face legal consequences if a homemade sign or camera contributes to an accident.

Following its removal, people living on the road said speeding and inconsiderate parking had returned, criticising the council for failing to address long-standing safety problems.

Resident William Bloomfield called the imitation camera, which appeared on 10 November, a “fantastic idea.” He said:

“Whoever put it up was clearly trying to make the road safer, and that’s something we’ve needed on both Sandhurst and Verdant Lane for a long time. Locals are simply stepping in to protect themselves because nothing else seems to be happening. I thought it was a great idea.”

A spokesperson for Lewisham Council reiterated: “We strongly advise people not to install fake road signs or cameras. Anyone who does so risks legal action if their actions contribute to an accident.”

Bloomfield added that, during the short period the decoy camera was in place, “the road was noticeably calmer and drivers didn’t overtake me nearly as aggressively.”

The case for dummy speed cameras

Supporters argue that dummy cameras provide a simple, inexpensive and immediate way to discourage speeding, especially in neighbourhoods where official enforcement is lacking. Their presence alone can be enough to make drivers slow down, helping to reduce collisions, calm traffic and draw attention to areas that residents feel have been overlooked by the authorities.

The counterargument: they can breed complacency

Critics warn that fake cameras may offer only a short-term solution. Once drivers realise a camera is not operational, they may revert to speeding—and in some cases may even become less responsive to genuine enforcement measures elsewhere. There is concern that relying on dummy devices creates a false sense of security for residents, encourages inconsistent driver behaviour and distracts from the need for long-term, properly funded road-safety interventions.