Openreach is the latest partner to join forces with crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers in a bid to tackle cable theft, with the launch of a new regional campaign in hot spot theft areas today, 25 May.

Cable theft is a crime that can affect any street; with criminals stealing copper cables that are used to provide essential phone, TV and broadband services to millions of homes throughout the UK. Just one theft can mean hundreds of houses are left without connection causing widespread disruption to communication channels.

The campaign will involve a new website, www.openreach.co.uk/cableprotection, boards on Openreach vans and leaflets distributed directly to the public highlighting the disruption cable theft causes and urging the public to pass on information about cable thieves to Crimestoppers anonymously.

Cable theft - a crime that causes significant disruption

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers’ Deputy Chief Executive said: “Cable theft has far reaching consequences, just one cable being stolen could mean an entire community is left for hours without services that we use daily, such as telephones and the internet. This crime can cause significant disruption to our time at home and at work which can be incredibly frustrating.

"The fact that criminals are the cause is all the more infuriating. We hope that by working with Openreach to raise awareness amongst service users around cable theft, it will enable the public to be more conscious about passing on information about those committing this crime. Thieves themselves should beware as well, you could be endangering your life committing cable theft by risking electrocution.

“If you have any information about those committing cable theft, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or fill in our anonymous online information giving form, we don’t take any of your personal details so no one will know who you are.”

Crack down on metal theft

Bernie Auguste, Head of Security for Openreach said "The service we provide to our customers is our number one priority as a business. We are committed to do everything in our power, working with Crimestoppers and our other industry partners, to crack down on metal theft and prevent criminal damage to our network. The support of the public in this is paramount, and we would appeal to anyone who sees suspect activity in or around our network, or has knowledge of the people committing this crime to report it immediately."

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For further information please contact our press office.

About Crimestoppers

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information’ form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org
• Around 21 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every six days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 100,000 arrests and charges. Over £114 million worth of property has been recovered and over £203 million worth of drugs.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1200 arrests to date from over 5,000 thousand appeals posted.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers ‘call to action’ is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.