Reward over cable theft attempt in Hertfordshire
A £5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the conviction of would-be cable thieves who cut off hospital and police communications.
The thieves attempted to steal a communications cable at Hatfield in Hertfordshire last Thursday evening.
Hertfordshire Police Authority and BT have now jointly offered a reward of up to £5,000 for catching the criminals.
The cable damage caused disruption of the phone and data systems for most of the south of the county.
Police and local hospitals were left without communications systems, putting lives at risk.
Many vulnerable people that rely on personal alarm and alert systems were also put at risk, police said.
David Lloyd, chairman of Hertfordshire Police Authority, said: "Whilst the value of the scrap metal may be low, the impact on residents and businesses is enormous.
"Criminals who believe that they can get away with this type of crime need to know that we will make every effort to bring them to justice."