Cable thieves leave 250 villagers with no phone lines

250 homes and businesses have been left without phone lines after thieves stole 1,400 metres of cable near Mowsley.

They struck on Saddington Road during the early hours of yesterday and removed the underground copper cable after lifting manhole covers.

Lines have been cut to Mowsley and parts of Saddington and engineers from Openreach are working to replace the stolen cable and fix damage caused, although it is likely to be next week before lines are restored.

The company says most broadband services are unaffected.

The incident follows a similar theft near Clipston a week ago, with thieves targeting the cables because of the copper within them, which can be sold.