CHOOSE
A DIFFERENT TERRITORY
Metal theft now costs the UK economy around 500 million a year - 4.3bn since 2013
Openreach and EMR, a global leader in circular materials, are urging the public to help stop metal theft by reporting suspicious activity anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers.
The appeal follows a series of incidents that have caused widespread disruption and cost the UK public more than 4.3bn over the past decade . With copper prices at an all time high and forecast to rise further in 2026 the company's network has become an increasingly attractive target for criminals looking for a quick profit.
Recent incidents include:
Andy Shepherd, Director of Resilience and Integrity at Openreach, said:
"Its really disappointing that communities across the UK are paying the price for this criminal behaviour. Cable theft causes serious damage, unacceptable disruption to communities and can put vulnerable people at risk.
Were working closely with partners and using proactive security measures to reduce the impact of this criminal activity, but we also need the publics help. If you see anything suspicious, please call 101 or contact Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111."
A spokesperson for the independent charity Crimestoppers said:
"Cable theft can have a serious impact on local communities, cutting people off from essential phone and broadband services, and disrupting daily life for homes and businesses.
"The recent cable theft in Kent is a clear example of why its so important that anyone who knows something speaks up.
"If you have information about cable theft or suspicious activity around telecoms infrastructure, and dont want to give your details to the police, the charity Crimestoppers is here for you.
"Contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously by completing a simple online form at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling our 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. By sharing what you know, you could be helping to protect vulnerable people and vital services from disruption."
EMR, a global leader in circular materials, is helping recover, process and recycle metals through its nationwide network of UK sites and specialist cable recycling facilities.
Bruce Miller, Commercial Director at EMR, said:
"Copper is now recognised as a critical material, with demand continuing to grow as industries invest in new networks, infrastructure and low-carbon technologies. That makes responsible recycling more important than ever.
"At EMR, we play a vital role in recovering and recycling the materials needed for the future, while helping ensure they remain in legitimate circulation. Metal theft causes significant harm disrupting communities, damaging essential infrastructure and putting public safety at risk.
"As one of the UKs largest metal recyclers, we work closely with law enforcement and partners including Openreach and Crimestoppers to prevent stolen material entering the supply chain. By working together, we can help protect critical infrastructure, support local communities and ensure valuable resources are recycled responsibly."
As part of the initiative, EMR has strengthened its commitment to tackling metal theft by installing signage across all UK sites, reinforcing its policy to refuse any material suspected of being stolen. Through responsible recycling practices and transparent material traceability, EMR continues to support higher standards across the sector while helping keep critical materials in the right hands.
Openreach builds and maintains the UKs largest telecoms network and, since April 2024, more than 100,000 people across the UK have lost the use of their landline and/or broadband due to copper theft with 153 km of cable stolen in that time spanning almost the same distance as from London to Bristol.
The impact is far-reaching for consumers and businesses: from home working and online shopping, to contacting vulnerable relatives, GP surgeries, hospitals and schools, and running smart lighting and heating systems.
Repairing and replacing damaged cables is often complex and time-consuming, with engineers working around the clock alongside local authorities and partners to restore services as quickly as possible.
Since April 2024, Openreach estimates 1.2 million working hours have been diverted to repairing theft-related damage time that could otherwise have been spent upgrading more homes and businesses to the UKs most reliable broadband technology Full Fibre. Network theft costs millions to repair each year, causing disruption and anxiety for local communities and damaging the UK economy.
Since April 2025, Openreach's specialist security team has instigated 90 arrests, but theft volumes are expected to increase during the summer months.
Targeted cables are often pulled out of the ground and laid out in fields to be cut up and transported, so drier ground makes this easier to do reducing the risk of criminals vehicles getting stuck in saturated fields. A knock-on impact is often damaged or destroyed crops, meaning farmers face harm to their livelihoods as well as their connectivity.
To deter criminals and reduce disruption, Openreach continues to implement measures including a mix of:
More information on how to report damage to Openreach's network is available here.
