£20,000 reward from Openreach to catch gangs stealing vital network cables after homes and businesses left without essential broadband services
The charity Crimestoppers and Openreach, the UK’s largest phone and broadband network, are appealing for information after a series of recent cable thefts across Thamesmead. A reward of up to £20,000 for information given exclusively to Crimestoppers is now being offered.
The reward money is being put up by Openreach through Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police, for information given anonymously on the thefts, which left essential emergency services along with thousands of residential premises and businesses without the use of their phones, broadband or TV services.
In the most recent attack, a live fibre cable was damaged and copper cables were cut and stolen from the underground communications network. Thieves stole the cables using 4×4 vehicles in the early hours of Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th May, around Leatherbottle Lane, Belverdere in south east London.
Thieves then dragged the cables several miles through Lesnes Abbey Woods, then over the footbridge leading to Southmere Park, before reaching Bazalgette Way, where the cables were then cut. Street furniture and property were also damaged.
Another incident occurred in Wolvercote Road, Thamesmead SE2 on Thursday 4th May at around midnight. On this occasion, cables were dragged along Yarnton Way.
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Openreach has a partnership with the charity Crimestoppers that offers rewards for information given exclusively and anonymously to Crimestoppers about cable thefts that lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. If you have any information on these incidents, please contact Crimestoppers, 100% anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or fill in the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “It was lucky that nobody was injured during these incidents. The impact on the people and local communities affected, including critical emergency services, which are life-saving, cannot be underestimated. The reward amount for information given to us anonymously about these cable thefts has been increased by Openreach, to reflect the huge amount of disruption caused and the importance they place on the issue.
“We urge anyone with information on those behind these thefts to speak up to our charity completely anonymously. We know that some people feel unable to speak directly to authorities, which is why Crimestoppers is here to help. You can tell us what you know whilst protecting your identity and staying 100% anonymous. We’ve kept that promise since we began back in the 1980s.”
Emma Sandison, Director of Security Services for Openreach, said: “These incidents have severely impacted the day-to-day lives of people living in the Thamesmead area of South London. This is due to the loss of connectivity, which is why we have increased the reward on offer. Did you see any suspicious people or vehicles in or around the time and dates of the incidents or in the days leading up to the thefts?
“We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police to catch those who are responsible and we continue to deploy additional security enhancements across the region, but we also need your help. Please be vigilant, and if you saw anything suspicious on or around the time of the incidents, please report it. If you prefer not to speak directly to police, contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously.”
If you have any information about these incidents, please contact the charity Crimestoppers at any time on freephone 0800 555 111 or through the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org 100% anonymously. Always.
