A new cash reward of £20,000 is being offered for information that results in the conviction of those responsible for thefts of cables in Roothing, Epping and Harlow.

The independent charity Crimestoppers and Openreach- phone and broadband network, have increased reward money from £1,000 to continue the appeal for information after the series of cable thefts across Roothing, Epping and Harlow.

Large sections of live cable were pulled from the underground communications network in Sparrows Lane, Roothing on Wednesday July 21 and on Friday July 2.

On Thursday July 15, a cable was cut in the B181 in Epping Upland and again on July 16 in the A1025 Road in Harlow- the thefts have all occurred between 11pm and 2am.

The damage left hundreds of residential and business customers at each location without use of their phone lines, broadband and TV services.

Crimestoppers Eastern Regional Manager, Phil Breckon said: “The reward amount for information on these cable thefts has been increased by Openreach, to reflect the huge amount of disruption caused and the importance they place on the issue.

“This is not a victimless crime and we urge anyone with any information on those behind the thefts to speak up to our charity completely anonymously.”

Anyone with any information should contact Crimestoppers 100 per cent on 0800 555 111 or fill out an anonymous form online.