Phones and internet cut off after metal thieves strike

Metal thieves have left scores of residents in a rural area near Wolverhampton without a phone and internet connection for more than a month.

Tracey Burns, Marion Bunn, Lisa Ebrahimi and Kate Thomas, who have all lost their phone and internet connection
Tracey Burns, Marion Bunn, Lisa Ebrahimi and Kate Thomas, who have all lost their phone and internet connection

Twenty homes have been affected around Paradise Lane in Slade Heath after more than 650ft of cable was ripped from underground lines.

Neighbours Tracey Burns and Kate Thomas reported it on February 7 and say they were originally told the issue would be resolved within 72 hours but every time they have contacted BT over the last month they have been told it was being worked on.

Mrs Thomas, a retired supervisor, lives with her 92-year-old mother Marion Bunn and relies on a phone line to keep in contact with her while she is out.

And Mrs Thomas’s brother John lives in Spain and often uses email to get in touch with his family.

Mrs Thomas said: “Every time we have spoken to BT they have said they are working on the problem. It’s become a joke. Lots of people have been trying to get in touch with us but they couldn’t.

"I have had to go to a friend’s house to use the internet and I have been using a pay-as you-go-mobile, which is quite expensive. Meanwhile Mrs Burns, 49, has been unable to share photos of her son’s recent wedding via email.

Mrs Burns, a payroll worker, said: “I appreciate there are lots of issues that could have played a part in us not being reconnected within 72 hours but I cannot understand in today’s technology why we have been without our service until now.”

The problem was due to be resolved by the end of today.

BT spokeswoman Emma Tennant said the repair had been particularly difficult.

She added: “Openreach apologies for the inconvenience caused.”