THIEVES once again have attempted to remove sections of copper wire from a BT telephone line near the Crew Road outside Downpatrick leaving many households without broadband and telephone connections.
The residents first noticed the fault last night at 11.30pm when their lines went dead.
Police are now investigating and it is understood that they have a vehicle number they wish to trace.
The last time this happened in May 2016 more than a couple of hundred homes were affected by the loss of BT service for almost two days until the repair work had been carried out.
Local residents who did not wish to be named said: “I rely quite a lot on my BT broadband as I don’t get out much. I’m elderly and I shudder to think that all these residents are now cut off. I just hope that none of them face emergencies over the next couple of days until this is repaired.
“Another resident added: “This i just madness. If these thieves start ripping up copper wire from telephone cables everywhere then we are just heading for a complete meltdown. These people need to be caught and locked up for their criminal damage.”
Previous article:
http://www.downnews.co.uk/scrap-metal-thieves-leave-over-250-people-without-phones-near-ardglass/
UPDATE:
Councillor Gareth Sharvin said: “Three cables were cut in different locations – one has been repaired and the other two should be repaired by lunch time tomorrow.
“PSNI have arrested persons onsite this morning caught in the act I was told by a a BT spokesperson.”
