£100,000 worth of copper cable stolen near Yeovil (From Yeovil Express)

£100,000 worth of copper cable stolen near Yeovil

7:47am Friday 10th February 2012 in News By Steve Sowden

POLICE are appealing for information from the public following the theft of BT cable in the early hours of yesterday morning (Thursday).

Around 2,000 metres of copper cable was stripped from the ground by the junction of the A303 and A3088 near Yeovil between midnight and 1am.

BT engineers were made aware of a fault in the early hours and discovered the theft when they went to investigate the cause.

The stolen cable has affected hundreds of homes and business in the area, bringing down both phone and broadband capabilities.

BT estimate it will cost approximately £100K to replace and will take approximately 4 days to put right.

DI Ian Glover said: "Thieves steal this cable but do not consider the consequences to the people they steal from, in this case BT, and the knock-on effects to local business and the wider community.

"The scrap value will be low in comparison to the replacement cost and the cost to business and homes.

"This was a busy road and even though it was during the night, someone must have seen something.

"Prevention as the key and everyone needs to be vigilant about possible metal thefts.

"If you see anyone, including workmen, acting suspiciously near a public building or road works, particularly at night, please contact your local police who will confirm whether they are legitimate.

"A high-vis' vest doesn't mean they should necessarily be there! Those with a legitimate reason will not mind confirming who they are and what they are doing.

"I would encourage anyone who has any information about this crime to call us either on the new 101 number or they can email us through the website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.

"Alternatively you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call."

The Constabulary has been running proactive operations across the force to tackle metal theft as well as working with scrap dealers to decrease the market in which thieves can operate.

Chief Inspector Alex Cohen said: "Metal theft is on the increase nationally and we aren't complacent. We have been proactively working to both prevent and detect metal theft crime.

"We have been clear in sending a direct message to those involved in metal theft and those who handle stolen goods - we will be continuing to use an intrusive approach in dealing with criminals who are making a lot of money at the cost and inconvenience of everyone else.

"If anyone is approached anywhere in the force area with what could be this stolen cable we strongly advise them not to accept it in to their yards as they could be arrested for handling stolen goods. Any legitimate scrap dealers, who actively refuse to deal with stolen metal have nothing to fear."

Patrick Chinn, Area Manger from BT said: "BT are currently trying to run out high-speed broadband to customers in this area.

"Not only is it costly to replace stolen cable, it puts both BT and their customers at an inconvenience. Delays are caused as BT have to source cable from depots as far away as Inverness."