Crimestoppers and Openreach (part of BT) are appealing for information after a malicious attack on the telecommunications network which resulted in areas of Brighton without communication services. The cable cut was on Home Road in the Preston area of Brighton during the morning of Friday, February 21, and led to around 1,500 reported faults in the area.
Openreach engineers worked over the weekend to restore service. Openreach has a partnership with Crimestoppers, which offers up to £1,000 reward for information on cable thieves that lead to arrests and successful convictions. People can call the charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Crimestoppers and Openreach began working together in February 2011 and since then have been encouraging more people to help stop malicious damage being caused to telecoms infrastructure.
Crimestoppers Area Manager for Sussex, Carolyn Randall, said: “Not only is this crime hugely inconvenient to the members of the public affected, but it is also incredibly dangerous and can be life threatening. Don’t let these individuals benefit from the proceeds of crime. Contact Crimestoppers anonymously, safe in the knowledge that your information will be treated 100 per cent anonymously – no one will ever know you spoke to us.”
And Bernie Auguste of Openreach Security said: “We would appeal to local residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour in or around street cabinets or manhole covers immediately. The theft of metal is a continuing problem in the UK, affecting many industry sectors. Through your help BT’s partnership with Crimestoppers has led to arrests and subsequent successful convictions.
If you have any information on this incident – contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the Anonymous Online Form.
