Openreach and Crimestoppers appeal for information in wake of Glasgow arson attacks

Two underground footway boxes were set on fire at around 1.00 am on 24^th April and again in the early hours of the 25^th, resulting in several telephone and broadband cables being destroyed. The damage left a number of residential and business customers in the district of Cranhill without use of their phone lines, broadband and TV services.

Openreach engineers worked on repairs throughout the weekend to restore services to those customers affected and most are now back in service.

Angela Parker, the national manager for Scotland at Crimestoppers, stated: “These incidents have disrupted essential broadband services and can even impact on local emergency and essential public services. Happening at a time when we're confined to our homes shows how little these criminals care about the consequences of their actions. To be damaging essential communications cables during a global pandemic is especially heartless.”

Parker continued: “This is why we're urging people – anyone who may know of those behind these arson attacks – to come forward. We know that some people feel unable to speak directly to the authorities, which is why our charity is here to help support those with crime information. We guarantee that people who give us information will stay 100% anonymous. Always. Like the millions of others who have trusted us with their crime information since we began operating over 32 years ago, Crimestoppers can pass on the detail submitted to the relevant people and no-one, other than the deliverer of that information, will know that they've contacted our charity.”
 
In conclusion, Parker added: “Anyone with information can report anonymously via our website or call our Contact Centre which is open 24/7 on 0800 555 111. We would urge people to do the right thing so that we can prevent more communities from being even further isolated without essential communications during this time of lockdown.”