Motorist is branded a hero by other drivers after parking for an hour with his open boot blocking a speed camera that once gave him a fine 

  • Chris Welford was caught by a mobile van in Skelton, North Yorkshire 
  • To get revenge he stopped next to a van in the same spot and opened his boot 
  • People peeped in approval as they passed him and he was lauded on Facebook 

By Paddy Dinham For Mailonline

Published: 15:48 EST, 15 February 2017 | Updated: 16:40 EST, 15 February 2017

A BMW driver has been lauded as a hero after parking in front of a speed camera and blocking it with his boot in revenge for getting a ticket. 

Chris Welford had an hour to kill so stopped his car and put the boot up to block the camera on Cleveland Police's mobile van in Marske Road, Skelton, North Yorkshire.

He had been caught by a mobile van previously on the same road.

Chris Welford had an hour to kill so stopped his car and put the boot up to block the camera on Cleveland Police's mobile van in Marske Road, Skelton, North Yorkshire

Chris Welford had an hour to kill so stopped his car and put the boot up to block the camera on Cleveland Police's mobile van in Marske Road, Skelton, North Yorkshire

The off-shore worker, 23, from Skelton, said drivers beeped to thank him as he stood next to his 5 Series at lunchtime on Tuesday.

After sharing a photo of what he did on Facebook, he said: 'People have been loving it - one person got in touch and said 'Not all heroes wear capes'.'

But Cleveland Police are seemingly not as impressed, with Chris claiming he was visited hours later and warned he could have been hauled to court for harassment.

However, Chris said police didn't even confront him at the scene and just let him get on with it.

'At one point an unmarked police car came past with two officers inside,' he added

'But they just looked at me and kept driving.

'There was at least one officer in the car but he just ignored me.

'The police came around later and I was told I was lucky as I could have been done for harassment.

'But everyone else was beeping their horns and seemed to support me.'

Mr Welford (pictured in a selfie) was beeped in recognition by other drivers and was also lauded on Facebook

Mr Welford (pictured in a selfie) was beeped in recognition by other drivers and was also lauded on Facebook

Supporters have called him a 'legend' for the 1pm stunt on the Skelton road, an area Chris claims the police target frequently.

'They are there a lot, as drivers go down a bank and obviously pick up speed,' said Chris.

'When I first passed my test five years ago, I got a ticket there soon after but personally I don't think it is an area of concern.

'There was a school there years ago but that was knocked down so I don't think there is a real need for them to be there, which made it more satisfying.'

Police Inspector Harry Simpson feels those who have hailed Chris as a hero are those who don't consider speeding a serious offence.

'It is an unpleasant sight to come across the severed limbs of victims and then take on the task of informing families of these victims that their loved one is in a serious condition in hospital – or even worse,' he said.

'Those who do not agree with speed enforcement will no doubt speed themselves.' 

Comments (2408)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now