BT apologises as hundreds in Croydon are left without phonelines and internet for a week
HUNDREDS of residents and businesses in Croydon remain without phone lines and internet access after underground cables were damaged in a suspected theft attempt.
BT lines covering "a wide area" were affected after the damage to cables in Southbridge Place, next to the Croydon Flyover, on Tuesday last week.
A BT spokesman said it was working "around the clock" to fix the problem, but service was likely to be disrupted for some well into this week.
He added: "We would appeal to local residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour in or around street cabinets or manhole covers immediately."
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Surgical Instrument Group Holdings Ltd, based at the IO Trade Centre, in Croydon Road, was still without phonelines on Tuesday - seven days after the initial damage was caused.
Managing director David Peddy said: "We lost our phones, our fax, emails, internet. We had our landline diverted through my mobile phone and our laptops are using the adjacent company's wi-Fi.
"But customers cannot get through to us, to send us orders or ask for information."
Mr Peddy added he was getting increasingly frustrated with the pace of repair works and what he described as poor communication from BT.
His company makes, sells and repairs reusable surgical instruments such as forceps and scissors, and supplies hospitals across the country.
"Clients might want to place order, find out if we have something, or they might need something for an operation," he added.
"I have spoken to our provider who is speaking to BT, but we have to keep chasing them."
A BT spokesman said engineers have brought in replacement cabling and were "jointing those affected back into service."
He added: "We have now restored some of those affected and this will increase as work progresses around the clock."
Crimestoppers and BT Openreach are offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information about the damage.
Simon Davies, security manager at BT, said: "Cable thieves seem to be targeting Croydon once again with other incidents having occurred close-by recently. "If you have any information on activity happening around a manhole in Southbridge Place, mid-morning last Tuesday, please contact Crimestoppers now and help safeguard your community services."
If you have any information on this incident, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Comments
by Florencenight
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 11:36PM
“Talk talk have yet to reconnect me & their 'report a fault' service has been out of service. I haven't been able to get through to ask for a divert to my mobile phone. What kind of ignorant person steals cable for a few pounds thereby costing innocent householders a huge amount of inconvenience, not to mention cutting off those who are housebound & rely on the Internet/landlines to contact family/friends. Whoever buys the stolen cable is equally to blame. Shame they won't get a custodial sentence if by some amazing coincidence or accident the police find them!”