Police search for mobile speed camera arsonist – report

Tasmania Police are investigating the circumstances around a mobile speed camera unit which was set alight over the weekend.

According to a report from website Pulse Tasmania, the trailer-based speed camera was set fire to at approximately 2:20am on Sunday 7 April 2024 in New Norfolk, approximately 35km northeast of Hobart – with the incident being treated as "suspicious".

It's not known at this stage whether the perpetrator was caught by one of the unit's six CCTV cameras, which transmits images back to a base of operations.

Images posted online show the mobile speed camera being carted away on the back of a tow truck, with significant fire damage to one side of the unit.

Besides the wilful damage to property, authorities warned the incident created "significant risk of bushfires in the local area," the report says.

It comes less than three months after a portable mobile phone and seatbelt enforcement camera was set fire to in Queensland.

In February 2024, Victoria Police charged a 15-year-old boy after he allegedly damaged an unmarked speed camera car, kicking the side mirror before fleeing.

In January 2024, a group of men allegedly attacked another speed camera car in Melbourne's north, jumping on the vehicle and smashing windows using rocks.

Tasmania Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the latest incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online by clicking here.