THE operators of a Newport speed camera that was covered in white paint warn vandals that they face prosecution if caught.

Over the weekend, offenders splashed the paint all over the static speed camera on Cardiff Road, near the junction with Aubrey Hames Close.

The Safety Camera Partnership (South Wales) says that minor damage was done - but the camera remained in operation.

A partnership spokeswoman said: "The paint is being removed and the police are investigating."

She said in more serious vandalism cases mobile cameras could be brought in to cover for damaged static ones.

John Rowling, the South Wales speed camera programme manager, said: "This is criminal damage.

"We would remind people it is against the law and anyone caught could face prosecution."

Last week, Britain's most senior policeman, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Sir John Stevens, said he did not approve of speed cameras being used as money-making devices.

He said all cameras should be sited only at places where there is a standing record of accidents caused by bad driving and where the presence of a camera would have a positive effect.

Mr Rowling has since said that all speed cameras in the UK are subject to the same criteria set out by Sir John.

He said the only exceptions were at: Sites of community concern Road works with reduced speed limits, reduced lane width, or contraflow Stretches where operations are being carried out to clamp down on particular incidents, i.e. speeding motorcyclists.

Mr Rowling said: "We strictly adhere to government guidance on this."