BT’s Openreach division launched an initiative against cable theft, announcing the deployment of an invisible solution which can be used to forensically ‘tag’ metal thieves and protect the telecoms network across the UK.
Driven by the recent surge in scrap copper prices, metal theft is a growing problem, says BT, as thieves target the copper contained in the local telecoms network, isolating vulnerable people and in some cases limiting access to emergency services. Last year saw an increase of 9 per cent in incidents of deliberate attacks on the BT network. Such attacks cost BT millions of pounds each year.
BT’s Metal Theft Taskforce [MTT] began a roll-out of SmartWater. The operation will be supported by British Transport Police (BTP) and uses forensic marking and GPS tracking technologies. The aims of this will be to not only deter thefts, but to also capture and convict persistent offenders.
Bernie Auguste, Openreach Head of Security said: “From now on, any criminal who targets the BT network risks being invisibly ‘tagged’ with SmartWater, meaning that the police can trace them, and any stolen cable or equipment, back to the scene of the crime. Cable theft affects not only us as a business, but the millions of people who rely on access to phones and broadband across the UK, and with the help of this technology we’re fighting back.”
SmartWater is a forensic marking liquid that is unique to a particular location. It will be used to mark the outer shell and inner core of Openreach cable, along with tools and other equipment. This will allow police to irrefutably identify where any stolen items have come from. n hot-spot areas SmartWater trap devices will also be deployed to capture criminals red-handed. Any thieves who target Openreach property face being sprayed with the liquid, meaning they will carry evidence of their crime on their skin and clothing wherever they go.
Detective Inspector Robin Conway from British Transport Police said: “Cable and metal theft is high on BTP’s agenda due to the disruption and economic effect it has on businesses and communities. Anyone arrested for metal theft will be examined for traces of SmartWater. A search will be made of the person’s house and any property, including vehicles with traces of SmartWater on them, is likely to be seized by police. Scrap metal dealers will also be visited regularly to ensure they are assisting British Transport Police in identifying criminals attempting to sell stolen metal.”
In many parts of the UK, police officers routinely check suspects for the presence of SmartWater, heightening the chances of arrest and prosecution for thieves. Now, to further close the net on metal thieves, teams from SmartWater, BT Security and British Transport Police officers are working with scrap merchants to check for traces of the forensic solution. This will directly target the thieves’ supply chain making it more and more difficult to sell on stolen goods without detection.
The use of this technology by Openreach in north London is already achieving results by reducing the number of network attacks, as would-be thieves are discouraged from entering areas where they may be sprayed with the solution, or taking equipment which has been coated.
Phil Cleary, Chief Executive of SmartWater said: “The most important part of securing a conviction for metal theft is establishing a forensic link between the stolen material, the criminals and the scene of the crime. SmartWater does just that, by invisibly tagging cables, equipment and offenders, and allowing Police to make criminals more accountable for their actions.”
Openreach is stepping up mobile patrolling of network sites, introducing new locks for manholes, and working closely with local police forces on dedicated ‘sting’ operations to target metal thieves. Last year, BT worked with police to achieve over 200 arrests.
Bernie Auguste said: “The support of the public is essential and we are working closely with local communities to engage their help. Members of the public can help by being our eyes and ears and reporting anything suspicious to police.”
Notes
Members of the public wishing to report suspicious activity should contact 999.
Activity to look out for includes:
* Individuals accessing the telecom network who are not wearing the appropriate corporate clothing.
* Vehicles of legitimate engineers working within the telecom network will display Openreach branding. Look out for vehicles parked adjacent to or over telecom access points which are not displaying Openreach branding, or signage stating they are working on behalf of Openreach.
* If safe to do so, get descriptions of anybody acting suspiciously around a telecom access point. Note their approx height, age and how they are dressed. For suspicious vehicles, note the registration number, make, model and colour.
