Police Warn of Rising BT Cable Theft Across East Yorkshire

Saturday 19th September 2026

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

Humberside Police’s Rural Task Force is warning residents across the East Riding — including the Bridlington area — to stay vigilant following a sharp rise in underground BT cable thefts.

The thefts have caused widespread disruption to telephone and broadband services, affecting homes, businesses, and even emergency communications. Officers say thieves are targeting underground telecommunications cables for their scrap metal value, often working under cover of darkness in isolated rural locations.

Residents are urged to look out for suspicious activity such as:

• Vehicles parked near BT or Openreach cabinets or utility poles.

• Individuals working on telecoms equipment without clearly marked vehicles or ID. Genuine BT staff will always carry identification and can provide a verification pin number to confirm their identity.

• Unusual activity around roadside cabinets, manholes, or cable routes — especially during evenings or overnight.

• 4x4 vehicles dragging cables along roads or the sound of tools being used to cut materials.

Police advise the public not to approach offenders, but to note descriptions, vehicle registrations, and locations if safe to do so.

• Call 999 if a crime is in progress.

• Use 101 for non‑emergency reports.

• Report service faults directly to your broadband or telephone provider.

The Rural Task Force says community awareness is key to tackling the problem:

“Working together as a community can help prevent further disruption and assist police in identifying those responsible.”