 New Forest residents are urged to be vigilant in their neighbourhood in a bid to crack down on cable crime.
Cable thieves are duping the public by marking their vans with BT logos and wearing high-visibility jackets while they carry out ‘essential work’ in local streets on cables both above and below ground.
But by cutting out lengths of cable, for the lucrative copper wiring, the thieves cause misery and inconvenience to communities – they cut off phone, TV and broadband connections for days while repairs are made.
The Safer New Forest Partnership, Hampshire Police and British Telecom have issued a clear message – if you see activity around BT equipment and you want reassurance that it is genuine – call 0800 321999 at once.
New Forest District Council portfolio holder for housing and communities, Cllr Jill Cleary said:
“The extent of disruption caused by cable thieves is massive. These thefts are committed every week, all around the UK including the New Forest, and it not only affects BT communications but also hundreds of other communications providers who use the network.
“I urge local residents and workers to be vigilant when they are out and about and if they see any unexpected workmen ‘checking’ BT boxes or working on cable ‘repairs’, please call the free BT hotline number to check it out.”
While thieves often take steps to disguise themselves as authentic workmen, keep a look out for suspicious activity, such as:
- Unknown vans and the arrival of unexpected workmen.
- Any work involving cables in streets and on roads, even if workmen are wearing hi-visibility jackets and their vehicles are marked with a BT logo.
- Little or no traffic safety measures, e.g. use of cones, temporary traffic lights.
- Work taking place outside normal hours.
- Removed or disturbed cable box covers. This may indicate an area that thieves have investigated and intend to return to and steal cables.
- Unusual storage of large quantities of cut lengths of cable and/or twisted copper wiring.
- Palls of black smoke to indicate burning activity taking place.
- Unusual movements of 4x4 or commercial vehicles in your community.
Also being targeted are energy networks, such as the theft of electricity cables, and railway cabling – these attacks are not only disruptive, but potentially deadly to the thieves who take high risks in the process.
New Forest Chief Inspector Lucy Hutson, said:
“Cable theft is a huge problem nationally and here in the New Forest, it is vital that we report any incidents immediately. If you spot any suspicious activity, call the police at once on 999 with as much information as possible – take a note of vehicle registration numbers and try to give a description of the workmen, but do not approach them yourself.”
Alternatively, residents can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information relating to stolen cable. A £1000 reward is offered for a tip-off that leads to a conviction.
Information about the work of the Safer New Forest Partnership can be found on www.communitysafety.newforest.gov.uk or contact Community Safety co-ordinator Stephanie Bennett on 023 8028 5588, email stephanie.bennett@nfdc.gov.uk |
