BT launches new weapon in fight against cable thieves

Jul 25 2010 by Alun Thorne, Birmingham Post

BT has launched a new weapon in the fight against Birmingham cable thieves.

The communications company has begun deploying a forensically coded invisible paint developed by the Shropshire-based firm that ‘tags’ metal thieves and protects the telecoms network in the region and across the UK.

Driven by the recent surge in scrap copper prices, metal theft is a growing problem for communities across the country, as thieves target the copper contained in the local telecoms network.

Last year saw an increase of nine per cent in incidents of deliberate attacks on the BT network, costing BT millions of pounds each year. 

Bernie Auguste, head of security for BT’s local network business Openreach, said “Any criminal who targets the BT network in Birmingham now risks being invisibly ‘tagged’ with SmartWater, meaning that the police can trace them, and any stolen cable or equipment, back to the scene of the crime.

"Cable theft, which has been more prevalent in parts of the West Midlands than many other parts of the UK, affects not only us as a business, but all the people across the region, who rely on access to phones and broadband. With the help of this technology and other initiatives we’re fighting back.”

Detective Inspector Robin Conway from British Transport Police said: “Cable and metal theft is high on BTP’s agenda due to the disruption and economic effect it has on businesses and communities.”