Four arrested for stealing batteries from broadband cabinets in Kent, UK

Kent Police’s Rural Task Force this week arrested four suspects – three men aged between 37 – 57 and a 14-year-old boy – in connection with the theft of batteries from “telecom boxes” (i.e. street cabinets used by broadband providers) and a large number of cables from the South East of England.

A number of network operators are installing batteries in street cabinets, such as those that house certain broadband services (for example, Openreach’s hybrid fiber FTTC service). Each battery can cost around £500 and is usually activated during power cuts. But unfortunately, such equipment, together with valuable copper telecom cables, is often targeted by criminal gangs.

REMARK: Such thefts normally occur late at night and often – but not always – in rural or suburban areas (slower police response) and around manhole covers, cables, poles and other parts of a broadband network.

However, the perpetrators of such crimes do not always get away with it, especially if they keep returning to the same area. In addition, network operators such as Openreach and Virgin Media are now covering more of their cables and network equipment with a “invisible” synthetic DNA and UV liquid tracer, called SelectaDNAwhich makes finding and arresting those linked to such thefts a little easier (here).

In this case, on Monday 7 October 2024, officers from Kent Police’s Rural Task Force traced a vehicle believed to be linked to the theft of batteries from telecoms boxes in the South East to a location near Gillingham. The investigation ultimately recovered more than 100 batteries, along with a lot of cables, the vehicle itself, a trailer, a vehicle engine and several heavy power tools. The police are currently trying to determine the origin of all the material, and hopefully we can help a little by publishing some photos.

Four people have therefore been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and released on bail while investigations continue. Anyone with information about the theft of telecoms batteries or cables and who has not already reported it to police is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/168070/24. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form on their website.