The 0800 crime-reporting line Crimestoppers and Openreach, part of the telecoms firm BT, have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling cable theft and minimising disruption to communities after renewing their partnership for a fifth year.
The two have been working together since 2011 in a joint initiative against criminals stealing cables from the Openreach network, which causes disruption to businesses. Cable theft remains a serious problem, the two say. Crimestoppers received some 50 pieces of information in 2014-2015 relating to offences against the Openreach network, which led to two arrests.
Six rewards of up to £1,000 were offered for information that led to an arrest and conviction of those committing these offences in areas including London and the North East.
Openreach CEO, Joe Garner, hosted the Charity’s annual rewarding partnerships event at the BT Tower in London, welcoming some of the charity’s most valued stakeholders.
Rodger Holden, Director of Business Development at Crimestoppers, said: “Crimestoppers and Openreach’s partnership continues to go from strength to strength and reaffirms our commitment to tackling an issue that can be highly disruptive to communities across the UK.
“Cable theft and damage to the network is an issue that doesn’t seem to want to go away, and through working with Openreach and the support of the public, we hope we can eradicate this problem and ensure businesses and communities do not have to suffer any longer.”
And Bernie Auguste, head of security for Openreach said: “Our business remains committed to tackling the scourge of cable theft and network damage which impacts on both our customers and our business.
“Our relationship with Crimestoppers is one of the many key elements in our strategy for addressing the problem and the involvement of the public has and continues to provide valuable information in identifying those who perpetrate these acts so that we can bring them to justice.”
If you have any information about anyone responsible for a cable theft or damage, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
