Speed cameras may not top many people's lists of favourite things, but few take their dislike as far as the unknown assailant of a device in Hampshire.
The offender - suspected to be a driver who was protesting after being caught speeding - roused the Bishopstoke Road neighbourhood of Eastleigh in the early hours of Christmas Day by blowing up the roadside camera.
Residents were shaken from their sleep at around 2.30am by a loud explosion, the Southern Daily Echo reported. When they looked out of their windows, they were amazed to see the smoking husk of a fixed camera, the components of which were scattered far and wide.
Police and fire services raced to the scene, fearing that the explosion had been caused by the nearby petrol station, but instead found the familiar yellow box of a Truvelo speed camera tarnished by the explosion.
Resident Tina McCarthy said: "This massive explosion woke me up and when I looked outside I could see all this smoke coming from the speed camera.
"It's quite worrying to think that there is someone going around with these type of explosive devices and being able to plant them so close to our homes."
Hampshire Police believe the incident is a one-off, and are examining CCTV evidence for leads.
Acting chief inspector Kelly Whiting condemned the attack as "totally irresponsible behaviour".
