Angry motorists destroy more ULEZ cameras across London in protest against Sadiq Khan

• The Mayor of London’s unpopular ‘Ulez’ scheme was expanded further last month

Vandals were out in force again yesterday, with one camera covered in expanding foam while elsewhere a man carried an anti-ULEZ sign up the stairs trying to block the camera’s view.

It comes weeks after Sadiq Khan expanded his controversial policy to cover the whole of London, hitting thousands more drivers with a £12.50 fee.

The protester climbed a ladder that intercepted a camera placed on top of a Transport for London lorry on Rainham Road in east London, in an attempt to prevent cars from passing and avoid a ULEZ charge.

Locals rallied around the man, with one writing on Facebook: “Let’s hear it for the lad sitting on the stairs blocking the Ulez camera on Rainham Road.” This made my morning power people.

Elsewhere in Ickenham, in the Hillingdon neighbourhood, vigilant vandals sprayed foam used to fill cracks and insulate lofts over two cameras, preventing them from catching drivers.

Local resistance to the unpopular policy, which hopes to improve air quality and reduce pollution in the capital, has grown since the expansion was announced.

Some online have supported the recent vandalism. One person wrote: “These people deserve to be in the news for a job well done.” ‘Brilliant!’

Another person in the group said: “Quality effort from a quality man!” Thank you.’

Another lamented that they couldn’t do it themselves: “I wish I had the time to do it too.” In one comment, he was hailed as a hero with the writer saying: “Not all heroes wear capes.”

On one occasion, one of the cameras appeared to have been targeted by arsonists, with an image shared online showing the black box filled with what appears to be powder from a fire extinguisher.

Meanwhile, other cameras were wrapped in orange tape or covered in cardboard boxes, with the words “NO ULEZ” written above them.

In one part of south-east London, nine out of ten Ulez cameras were vandalized according to crowd-sourced data. Only 29 of the 185 cameras installed in Sydenham are working.

The expansion of the ULEZ has received opposition from campaigners who claim the £12.50 fee is a tax on the poor and working class who cannot afford to pay the fee or replace their old cars.

Last week, a group of demonstrators using supercars took to the streets of central London to challenge the Mayor of London’s expanded plan.

The procession was led by Petrolheadonism Club founder Ciro Ciampi from Milton Keynes who brought modified classic vehicles and supercars to parade along Whitehall.

The long queue of cars that passed from Regent’s Park to Downing Street shows the perceived hypocrisy that some of their “supercharged monstrosities” do not have to pay the toll.

The event, one of many Ulez protests in the capital in recent months, was filmed by motoring journalist Shehzad Sheikh, who calls himself the “Brown Car Guy”.

“We have to celebrate this moment,” Mr. Ciampi told Mr. Sheikh. For the people who are protesting here, it’s great, because they are so affected because they live inside the M25. It’s absolutely stupid that it was extended.

“I have a big event at Wembley and it will affect my event next year. For me, I have two cars which is no complaint with Ulez and I have to pay £12.50 if I come to London for my meetings and things like that.

“But then I’ve got a V12 in the garage or my mate’s got this eight-litre supercharged monster that’s Ulez-free. It’s not about clean air.

“He is definitely a narcissistic, reckless, arrogant, arrogant mayor who doesn’t listen to anyone.”

Mr Stevens, whose car meets Ulez standards, said: “It says: ‘You’re ok with driving your dirty car if you give me £12.50.’

“It’s all about the money, otherwise they would ban gasoline and polluting cars.”

There has also been an increase in so-called ULEZ “code runners” with photos posted on social media showing some TfL lorries, with cameras in place, covered in graffiti.

On other occasions, tires were deflated or car cameras were covered with bags.

Meanwhile, more than 4,000 people on Facebook have joined a group encouraging people to report truck sightings.

Among the 2,700 cameras appear to be broken, missing or damaged, according to a map created by the “Ulez Camera Locations” Facebook group.

Regarding this rise in vandalism of ULEZ cameras, a TFL spokesperson previously said: “Vandalism on our network is unacceptable and all incidents are reported to the police for investigation.”

“We have increased the security of ULEZ cameras following further incidents of vandalism and theft. The Metropolitan Police have made it clear that this constitutes vandalism of government property and is a criminal offense which may lead to prosecution.

MailOnline has contacted TfL and the Mayor of London’s office.