Reward to catch phone line thieves
Hundreds of homes and business have been left without broadband, TV and phone services after more than a dozen attacks on underground cables.
Openreach and Crimestoppers are offering a £1,000 reward in a bid to catch thieves who stripped and damaged large sections of live wiring in a series of locations across Kent.
Horsmonden Road in Brenchley, near Tunbridge Wells, was the first location to be targeted, on June 2, having previously been attacked twice before in May.
This was followed by a network in Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury, close to Maidstone, being hit a day later.
Next to be targeted was a network beneath Linton Road, Loose, on June 7 with other locations in Ethenden Road in Bethersden and Kingsdown Lane in Deal being targeted around the same time.
The latest location to have its wires cut was in Ottherham Quay Lane in Gillingham on June 21.
Significant damage has also been caused to street furniture and farmland, where cables have been dragged through fields.
Now crime prevention charity Crimestoppers is working with Openreach to uncover the culprits and has issued an appeal asking for anyone with information to come forward anonymously.
A reward of up to £1,000 is on offer to anyone with information that results in a conviction.
Openreach engineers are working as quickly as possible to restore services to those customers affected.
Mick Duthie, from Crimestoppers, said: “The people behind these crimes care little about the consequences or the fact that hundreds of residents and businesses have been badly affected with a loss of vital broadband, telephone and TV services.
“The impact and disruption cannot be underestimated. This
is not a victimless crime and we are urging anyone with information on those behind the thefts to speak up.”
Richard Ginnaw, head of security services for Openreach, added: “We are working closely with the police to catch those who are responsible and have deployed additional security enhancements across the area.
“Please be vigilant, and if you saw anything suspicious on or around the time of the incidents, or know who is involved, please report it.”
People with information are encouraged to get in touch with Crimestoppers either by calling 0800 555 111 or filling out an online form on its website, crimestoppers-uk.org