ONE of Southampton's most notorious speed cameras has been vandalised.

The camera, pictured, in Mountbatten Way, Southampton, was put out of action in an attack. It's only six weeks since it was switched on.

The cost of repairing the damaged camera unit is expected to run into thousands of pounds.

It is thought a vigilante motorist was behind the attack on the camera, which monitors traffic on the 50mph city-bound carriageway next to Western Docks.

But the Safety Camera Partner-ship, which is responsible for the speed cameras in Hampshire, has vowed to continue checking the road with a mobile camera.

Spokesman Julian Hewitt warned the cost of the damage could be measured in human lives as well as taxpayers' cash.

He said: "All our cameras are placed at locations where there is a history of death and serious injury so that they can be most effective in reducing casualties.

"This act of vandalism is disrespectful to people who have lost their lives or been badly injured here.

"The cost of the vandalism is a cost to the community which could be measured in human lives.

"The camera will soon be repaired and it will not stop us enforcing on that stretch of road as we will use a mobile camera."

Two fixed cameras were installed in each direction along the 50mph Mountbatten Way in April this year.

But they caused outrage among motorists who felt they should not have been put up while a 30mph limit was in force on adjacent two-and-a-half-year road works. Drivers demanded to know why the camera which has been the victim of this latest vandalism, was placed beyond the 30mph road works on the three-lane carriageway.

However, it was not actually switched on until September. A group called Motorists Against Detection have claimed responsibility for a spate of attacks on speed cameras across the country, although there is no evidence of them being linked to the Southampton attack.

Southampton council's environment and transport supremo Councillor Jill Baston condemned the vandals.

"I'm appalled. This is a stupid thing to do," she said. The speed cameras are there for a good reason. It's a well established fact that speed kills so the idea that one of the safety cameras put in has been vandalised is very bad news."

Mr Hewitt appealed for anyone who knew anything about the damage, done on Tuesday night, to report it.

He added: "This is a small minority of mindless vandalism. Our research says 87 per cent of people are supportive of cameras and only four per cent are not.

"The penalty for criminal damage is a heavy fine and possible imprisonment."

Ring 023 8067 4358 or the police on 0845 045 4545 with any information.