Police have launched an investigation after footage surfaced online appearing to show a ULEZ camera exploding in a street.

The “massive blast” was captured on CCTV outside a home in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, while another clip posted to social media showed the aftermath.

It happened last night shortly before 7pm.

One clip shows a dented van, broken fence panels and a large chunk taken out of a brick wall.

The man who filmed it described how there was “shrapnel everywhere”.

Speaking over a video posted online, he said “"Ulez camera's been dismantled, blown the geezer's van in half.

"Broke the geezer's fence. It's like a World War Two explosion's just gone off.”

One onlooker said: “It’s shocking. There was a lady in the car at the time that was damaged when it exploded.

“I don’t agree with chopping the cameras down at all - it’s criminal damage and dangerous.

“The smell was really strong too afterwards.”

Meanwhile, another person added: “ULEZ camera’s electrical box explodes in Sidcup.

“A massive blast which has damaged vehicles and property.

“Mayor of London – come and have a selfie.”

Police and fire crews were called to the incident and were seen attending to a transit van that had been damaged by the explosion.

No one was injured, no arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information which could assist with the police investigation are being urged to call 101, quoting CAD 5819/06DEC.

The controversial ULEZ scheme expanded across all of London's boroughs – up to the border with Kent – on August 29.

Now, anyone driving within any of the zones in which it is operational with a non-compliant car will have to pay a daily charge of £12.50

ULEZ cameras have been subject to several vandalism attempts.

Opponents of the its expansion have started targeting a fleet of camera vans attempting to enforce the rules.

In September, one of the camera vans being used to enforce the charging regime was targeted in Maiden Lane, Crayford.