Hundreds of homes and business have been left without broadband, TV and phone services after more than a dozen attacks on underground cables.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Horsmonden Road, Brenchley was the first location to be targeted, on June 2, having previously been attacked twice before in May.<\/p>\n
This was followed by a network in Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury being hit a day later.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The latest location to have its wires cut was in Gillingham on June 21.<\/p>\n
Significant damage has also been caused to street furniture and farmland, where cables have been dragged through fields.<\/p>\n
Now Crimestoppers are working with Openreach to uncover the culprits and have issued an appeal asking for anyone with information to come forward anonymously.<\/p>\n
They have issued a reward of up to 1,000 to anyone with information that results in a conviction.<\/p>\n
Openreach engineers are working as quickly as possible to restore services to those customers affected.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This is not a victimless crime and we are urging anyone with information on those behind the thefts to speak up.\"<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
We are working closely with the police to catch those who are responsible and have deployed additional security enhancements across the area.<\/p>\n
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.\"<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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Reward to catch cable thieves as hundreds without internet - Kent Online<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 Continue reading