UP to 1,200 Cambourne homes have had their telephone lines restored after thieves stole underground cables for the second time in four weeks. Police were called at 11.30am on Friday, March 28 to reports that 350 metres of cable had been taken from a

UP to 1,200 Cambourne homes have had their telephone lines restored after thieves stole underground cables for the second time in four weeks.

Police were called at 11.30am on Friday, March 28 to reports that 350 metres of cable had been taken from a site just half a mile from School Lane in Cambourne.

BT worked throughout the weekend to restore phone lines to homes on Sunday.

A spokesman for BT said: “I can confirm we have had 350 metres of cable stolen. This cable had a maximum capacity of 1200 lines.”

He added: “BT takes its security obligations very seriously. We work closely with police and other authorities to counter crime and secure convictions and we are continually reviewing our procedures to ensure they are as effective as possible.”

A mobile police station was sent to the village to offer reassure and assistance to residents. Police urged friends, family and neighbours to check on vulnerable people.

Detective Inspector, Andy Gipp, said: “If anyone saw anything suspicious taking place in the last 24 hours on the roads near to the Cambourne area then please get in touch. Perhaps you saw what you thought were workmen operating at a small site or if you can recall seeing something strange.”

Just four weeks ago more than 1,000 homes in Cambourne were left without telephone lines after cables were stolen from the Caxton to Cambourne bypass.

Almost every month since October, telephone cables have been stolen and services disrupted to hundreds of homes in Cambridgeshire.

In the past metal thieves have stolen phone cables in Alconbury Weston, Great Gidding and Great Staughton.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 4564564 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.