A £1,000 reward has been issued for information leading to the arrest of thieves who took copper cable from Preston Park on Friday, leaving thousands of people in Brighton and Hove without phone and internet access.

Crimestoppers and BT have joined forces to offer the money for any information leading to a successful conviction. 

The cable was cut in Home Road in Preston Park on Friday morning, leading to 1,500 reported faults in the surrounding city.

BT Openreach engineers worked over the weekend to restore service to ensure the disruption was resolved quickly - but some businesses and homeowners are still reporting problems to the Argus.

Crimestoppers Area Manager for Sussex, Carolyn Randall, said: “Not only is this crime hugely inconvenient to the members of the public affected, but it is also incredibly dangerous and can be life threatening.

“Don’t let these individuals benefit from the proceeds of crime. Contact Crimestoppers anonymously, safe in the knowledge that your information will be treated 100 per cent anonymously – no one will ever know you spoke to us.”

Bernie Auguste of Openreach Security said: “We would appeal to local residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour in or around street cabinets or manhole covers immediately.

"The theft of metal is a continuing problem in the UK, affecting many industry sectors. Through your help BT’s partnership with Crimestoppers has led to arrests and subsequent successful convictions."

If you have any information on this incident please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Openreach has a partnership with Crimestoppers, which offers up to £1,000 reward for information on cable thieves that lead to arrests and subsequent successful convictions.