BT Launches Clampdown On Copper Thieves

BT’s challenge to provide a superfast broadband service in the UK is under threat, as the carrier battles an increasing number of cable thefts.

To combat this growing problem, BT is to deploy ‘SmartWater’, an invisible solution which can be used to forensically ‘tag’ metal thieves and protect the telecoms network.

The theft of copper from telecoms lines is a well documented problem in countries such as South Africa and India, where copper is regularly stolen thanks to the high price that scrap copper can fetch.

Speaking to eWEEK Europe UK, BT confirmed that cable theft over BT’s 120 million kilometre national network has become an increasing problem in the UK over the last two years. Indeed, BT said that last year it saw an increase of 9 percent in incidents of deliberate attacks on the network, which costs the carrier millions of pounds each year.

Growing Problem

In response to this, BT has established a Metal Theft Taskforce (MTT), whose engineers are working 24 hours a day to replace stolen cables. They are now rolling out technology developed by scientists at British company SmartWater. Essentially, SmartWater is a forensic marking liquid that is unique to a particular location. It will be used to mark the outer shell and inner core of an Openreach cable, along with tools and other equipment. This will allow police to irrefutably identify where any stolen items have come from.

“The partnership operation will be supported by British Transport Police (BTP) and uses cutting-edge forensic marking and GPS tracking technologies,” said the carrier. “The aims of this will be to not only deter thefts, but to also capture and convict persistent offenders.”

“From now on, any criminal who targets the BT network 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,” said Bernie Auguste, Openreach Head of Security. “Cable theft affects not only us as a business, but the millions of people who rely on access to phones and broadband across the UK, and with the help of this technology we’re fighting back.”

The estimated cost across all industries in the UK for metal theft is around £770 million.

SmartWater Traps

BT says that, in hot-spot areas, trap devices will also be deployed to capture criminals red-handed. Thieves face being sprayed with SmartWater, meaning they will carry evidence of their crime on their skin and clothing wherever they go.

“Cable and metal theft is high on BTP’s agenda due to the disruption and economic effect it has on businesses and communities,” said Detective Inspector Robin Conway from British Transport Police. “Anyone arrested for metal theft will be examined for traces of SmartWater. A search will be made of the person’s house and any property, including vehicles with traces of SmartWater on them, is likely to be seized by police. Scrap metal dealers will also be visited regularly to ensure they are assisting British Transport Police in identifying criminals attempting to sell stolen metal.”

In addition, police officers will routinely check suspects for the presence of SmartWater, heightening the chances of arrest and prosecution for thieves. They will also worked with scrap merchants to check for traces of the forensic solution, in an effort to directly target the thieves’ supply chain and make it more difficult for them to sell the stolen cable.

BT said the use of this technology by Openreach in North London is already achieving results by reducing the number of network attacks, as would-be thieves are discouraged from entering areas where they may be sprayed with the solution, or taking equipment which has been coated.

Ground Thefts

Openreach is also stepping up mobile patrolling of network sites, introducing new locks for manholes, and working closely with local police forces on dedicated ‘sting’ operations to target metal thieves. Last year, BT worked with Police to achieve over 200 arrests.

BT confirmed to eWEEK Europe UK that the cable is being stolen out of the ground, suggesting that thieves are targetting the cable that runs from the telephone exchange to the street cabinet, and therefore not the last mile section of the network where cable is carried usually by telephone poles into people’s homes and businesses.

BT could not confirm if it was replacing stolen copper cables with fibre.

BT is asking members of the public to act as its eyes and ears, and report anything suspicious to police. Activities to look out for include individuals accessing the telecom network who are not wearing the appropriate corporate clothing. The vans of legitimate engineers will display Openreach branding, so look out for vehicles parked adjacent to or over telecom access points which are not displaying Openreach branding, or signage stating they are working on behalf of Openreach.

Members of the public are urged to try and get descriptions of anybody acting suspiciously around a telecom access point. Phone the police, making a note of their approximate height, age and how they are dressed. For suspicious vehicles, note the registration number, make, model and colour.