Witchford broadband network restored but hunt for cable thieves continues
The broadband network has been repaired in Witchford again following the second cable theft in a month.
Openreach said its engineers had worked to repair underground cables and repair damage to the network after thieves struck on Sunday night.
Residents’ landlines and broadband connections should now be restored, the company said.
Police are investigating the crime, which follows a similar cable theft in Witchford on the evening of December 15, which left 1,000 homes and businesses without connections. On that occasion, it took until December 17 to restore them for most customers.
Following the latest theft, a spokesperson for Openreach said: “Our engineers have been working hard during the last couple of days, to repair the damage caused by the cable theft.
“They’ve replaced two underground cables and repaired a significant amount of damage to the network. Everyone should now have a working phone and broadband service – but if any issues persist, then please get in touch with your broadband provider immediately.
“We’d like to thank the local community here for their patience, support and understanding. “It’s really disappointing that local people are once again bearing the brunt of criminal behaviour. We’d ask anyone who noticed anything suspicious earlier this week to contact the police.”
A police spokesperson said: “We were contacted on Sunday (January 2) with reports copper cable had been stolen in Ely Road, Witchford.
“The theft is believed to have happened between 9pm and 9.30pm that evening.
“Officers attended the scene, but no arrests have yet been made.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police via their web chat service https://bit.ly/3vsiYDw or online forms at www.cambs.police.uk/report quoting 35/468/22. Anyone without internet access should call 101.
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Thieves leave Witchford residents without internet and landline phone access again
