Fake camera
Some NIMBYs have started making replica Gatsos and sticking them in their gardens. These lookalikes vary in quality, some look quite realistic and others are nothing more than a square box with two windows on the front.
This yellow camera is in an Oxfordshire village and looks fairly convincing from a distance.
Fake camera
On closer inspection there are plenty of errors that become noticable. The rectangular radar in the middle is undersized
and is starting to peel off. The other major fault is the post which looks very thin.
Fake camera
This fake camera in Congleton is definitely out of proportion, almost two dimensional in appearance with a severe lack of
depth. The two video cameras on the side look out of place and I'm surprised they haven't been stolen, thats if they're real
that is.
Fake camera
Looking the other way and it appears the residents think they are in Staffordshire judging by the fluorescent strip on the back. Notice the 20 please signs in each garden. Most of the houses here have these signs, totally unenforceable of course.
One of the houses is for sale, the presence of the camera and the signs give the impression of a traffic problem and may
affect the price/saleability of the house.
Home made speed limits are unenforceable
This is another two dimensional camera. This one near Ascot is the poorest example I've seen with the two windows in the
wrong corners. No motorist is going to fall for this.
Fake camera
This side view shows the shoddy standard of construction. The yellow covering has started to peel off.
Fake camera
A first glance at this picture will reveal a proper speed camera. Its only when looking at the attachment to the
telegraph pole that it becomes obvious this is a fake. The lenses appear to be made from torches.
Fake camera
A view of the back shows the mounting bracket which on a real camera would be underneath.
Fake camera
This rather appauling fake of a Truvelo can be found on the A52 at Huttoft in Lincolnshire.
Poor fake
This fake camera near Blackburn is a pretty good attempt. The mistakes are the central radar strip should have six screws around it, the
flash window should be clear and there should be a Gatso sticker at the bottom left corner.
Fake camera
This nightime shot shows the reflective yellow backing and the accurate detailing of the supporting arm.
Fake camera
This has to be the most realistic attempt so far to create a fake Gatso. The obvious giveaways in this view are the lack of holes in the back of the camera housing and the slightly thin post.
Also noticable are the road markings which have been erased.
Fake camera
This front view shows that a lot of the details are correct. The only mistake seems to be the spelling of Gatso.
Fake camera
This fake Gatso on the A616 at Ompton is a good effort but has the skinny post found in other fakes.
One of the better fakes
This fake Gatso was vandalised soon after it appeared in a local newspaper. The ground fixture is the biggest error and the side arm is too tall. It is also too far from the road.
The camera housing had already disappeared when I took this picture.
Fake camera
This fake camera in Kings Norton, Birmingham is a bird house. Apparently some drivers are slowing down whilst passing it even though it looks nothing like a real Gatso.
Fake camera
This front view makes it look even worse. It could easily be a for sale sign.
Fake camera
This close up shows the hole at the top where the birds can enter.
Bird house
This fake camera is on the A34 north of Cannock. There is a temporary 30mph limit due to roadworks and it looks like a NIMBY has stuck this outside their house.
Fake camera
This fake camera has been placed by workers to enforce a 10mph speed limit in Dudley. To make matter worse there's also a nasty speed hump which is designed to further annoy
motorists.
Fake camera
This is a front view of the camera. Only the back is painted yellow.
Fake camera