Copper Cable Theft Disrupts Broadband in County Durham Village

Residents in the village of Shotton Colliery, located in County Durham, experienced a significant disruption to their broadband internet connectivity due to a copper cable theft. The incident, which began on Friday, March 1, 2024, resulted in a five-day outage affecting both homes and businesses in the area. Initial speculation linked the disruption to Storm Amy; however, Openreach later confirmed that it was a result of criminal activity targeting their network.

The theft not only impacted the copper cables but also caused damage to local fibre optic infrastructure. Openreach engineers worked diligently to restore services, and connectivity was fully reinstated on March 6, 2024. Notably, Openreach has yet to deploy its latest full fibre (FTTP) network in the village, while companies such as Netomnia and Virgin Media have already established gigabit-capable broadband services in the community.

Openreach shares some infrastructure with Netomnia, and it is believed that the latter was also affected by this disruption. The incident underscores the broader issue of cable theft, which has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, driven partly by the high market value of copper and the rising cost of living.

Community Impact and Response

An Openreach spokesperson expressed disappointment regarding the impact of this criminal act on the community. “These attacks cause extensive disruption to local lives, threaten the safety of vulnerable individuals, and result in significant inconvenience for residents and businesses,” the spokesperson stated. Openreach is collaborating with the police to apprehend those responsible. Community members are encouraged to report any suspicious activity by calling 101, or if they witness a crime in progress, they should dial 999.

The rise in cable thefts has prompted a stronger response from law enforcement. Openreach reported a 30% reduction in such incidents last year following the introduction of SelectaDNA, a forensic liquid marker designed to help track and protect their network. While this measure has shown effectiveness, it does not extend to older cables already laid underground.

The ongoing transition to Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) networks is expected to mitigate future thefts, as fibre cables lack the same resale value as copper. Nevertheless, challenges remain, as both types of cables often share ducts, making it possible for thieves to inadvertently damage fibre cables when targeting copper.

Preventive Measures and Community Involvement

Openreach has partnered with Crimestoppers to encourage anonymous reporting of cable thefts. The charity sometimes offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in such crimes. Members of the public can contact Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or utilize their anonymous online form.

In conclusion, the recent theft in Shotton Colliery illustrates the disruptive impact of cable theft on local communities. As Openreach and law enforcement continue their efforts to combat this issue, community awareness and vigilance will play a critical role in safeguarding essential services.