POLICE are appealing for information after thieves tried to steal underground cable – and in doing so cut off telephone lines in Cleobury Mortimer.
The incident happened on the A456 Cleobury Mortimer to Kidderminster road, between The Blount Arms and Horse and Jockey pubs.
Two men were see acting suspiciously in the area between about 1am and 2.30am last Friday. They made off when they were disturbed by a member of the public.
They are believed to have tried to pull fibre optic telephone cable from under the ground, damaging it in the process and causing major disruption for both private households and business in the town.
PC Sarah Smithson said the offenders are believed to have had a vehicle with them and would have been in the area for some time.
“Anyone who might have driven past at this time and seen persons acting suspiciously is asked to contact police ,” she said.
“Often these offenders will be wearing work clothes such as high visibility vests and the public do not give them a second glance as they assume they are official.
“But we would ask that anyone who spots people, whether they look official or not, tampering with cables, road signs, manhole covers or lead on roofs, to please contact police immediately.
“This attempted theft has caused major disruption in Cleobury Mortimer, with not only private households affected but also commercial premises and local stores, as it put their card payment machines out of order.”
If anyone has been offered copper cabling for sale, including scrap metal merchants, they are asked to contact police on 0300 333 3000.