Crimestoppers charity and Openreach appeal for information after an arson attack on communications cables in Hunslet West Yorkshire

Crime

Up to £1,000 reward available for information that results in the conviction of those responsible

The charity Crimestoppers and Openreach, the UK’s largest phone and broadband network, are appealing for information after an arson attack on one of their green street cabinets in Skelton Grange Road, Hunslet.

The cabinet was set on fire just before 18:00 on the 11th May destroying copper telephone and broadband cables inside the cabinet.

The damage has left a number of local residential and business customers in Hunslet without use of their phone lines, broadband and TV services. Openreach engineers are working as quickly as possible to restore services to those customers affected.

Openreach has a partnership with the charity Crimestoppers that offers a reward of up to £1,000 for information on cable damage and theft leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. If you have any information on this incident, please contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.


Gemma Gibbs, Crimestoppers Regional Manager for Yorkshire and Humberside, said:

“This reckless incident has caused major disruption to essential services and can even have an impact on local life-saving emergency care being received. Happening at a time when many are already isolated in their homes during this global Covid-19 pandemic makes this an especially heartless and hard to comprehend crime.

“This is why we are urging anyone who may know who is behind this arson attack to come forward. We know that some people feel unable to speak directly to the authorities, which is why our charity is here, to support those with information on crime. We guarantee that you will stay 100% anonymous. Always. Since we started over 32 years ago, millions of people have trusted us with their crime information. Crimestoppers can pass on what you know to the relevant people and no one, other than you, will know you contacted us.

“You can report anonymously via our website Crimestoppers-uk.org or call our Contact Centre which is open 24/7 on freephone 0800 555 111. Please do the right thing so that we can prevent more communities from being even more isolated without essential communications during this time of lockdown.”

 Bernie Auguste, Director of Security Services for Openreach, said:

“This incident has severely impacted the day-to-day lives of people across Hunslet especially during this difficult time where people are staying inside because of coronavirus and are very reliant on their telephone and broadband to communicate with friend’s family and loved ones.

“We are working with West Yorkshire police to catch those who are responsible and have deployed additional security enhancements in the area, but we also need your help. Please be vigilant and if you saw anything suspicious on or around the time of the incident report it. If you prefer not to speak directly to police, then please contact the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously.”

If you have any information on this incident, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org 100% anonymously. Always.

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