THE lives of parents and children are being put at risk by a sustained campaign of speed camera vandalism, according to a parish council clerk.

Peter Tennyson, clerk for Meopham Parish Council, near Gravesend, says a speed camera in Wrotham Road has been vandalised for the second time in just three weeks.

There are now fears for children’s safety when crossing the busy road to reach Meopham Community Primary School.

“They put the speed camera there because parents complained they couldn’t cross the road when taking their children to school,” he said, “Now, someone has caused serious damage to it.”

A member of the public alerted police at 2am on Sunday after seeing the camera arm had been sawn through and the box removed.

The latest incident reflects an increase in the severity of damage inflicted on speed cameras. In the first incident, the camera was simply pulled over.

Rachel Moon, spokesman for Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, said: “The camera in Wrotham Road is intended to help eliminate the risk to road-users and residents of being involved in a speed-related collision.

"In a recent three-year period, there were five people seriously injured, one person killed and 11 slight crashes at this site, By causing damage to this camera, that risk has now increased.”

She added that a mobile safety camera van would be operating in the area until the fixed camera could be replaced and urged the public to contact the police with any information.

Police said they were investigating the incident. If caught, vandals face a fine of up to £2,500 or up to three months in prison.