Reward to catch cable thieves as hundreds without internet – Kent Online

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 have stripped and damaged large sections of live wiring in a series of locations across Kent this month.

Horsmonden Road, Brenchley 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 being hit a day later.

Next to be targeted was a network beneath Linton Road, Loose on June 7 with other locations in Bethersden and Deal being targeted around the same time.

The latest location to have its wires cut was in Gillingham on June 21.

Significant damage has also been caused to street furniture and farmland, where cables have been dragged through fields.

Now Crimestoppers are working with Openreach to uncover the culprits and have issued an appeal asking for anyone with information to come forward anonymously.

They have issued a reward of up to 1,000 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, said: These incidents have severely impacted the day-to-day lives of people across these areas of Kent throughout June.

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 being encouraged to get in touch with Crimestoppers either by calling their number 0800 555 111 or filing out an online form on its website.

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Reward to catch cable thieves as hundreds without internet - Kent Online