Virgin Media Cable Theft frustrates Customers in Sutton

It has been reported that thieves digging a couple of holes in the ground for successfully stealing fibre optic cable to the tune of 1,500 metres at Morden Road has left customers in Sutton without broadband services, phone and television for up to 48 hours on November 29 2010.

The criminals, according to the claims of the Sutton Guardian newspaper, were aiming to resell the cables, although it was more likely that a big mistake has been made by them for their missing on the really valuable material, which was in the lder copper lines.

Incidentally, the telecommunications giant of the United Kingdom, BT had earlier in the summer claimed that the estimated cost for metal theft across all industries in the United Kingdom was GBP 770 million. By contrast, fibre optic cable is not worth the risk normally, as it is generally quiet cheap to buy.

Meanwhile it was given in Virgin Media statement that they have taken the issue with high seriousness and were co-operating with the police for preventing such occurances in the future. It further read that they would encourage anybody that provides information relating to the incident  for contacting the local police or Virgin Media security line at the earliest possible.

On another platform, BT is understood to be using a sophisticated forensic marking-liquid called SmartWater, which is unique to a specific location. The SmartWater marks the cable's outer shell as well as inner core, along with tools and related equipment to allow the police to identify irrefutably where from the stolen material have come.