Rural properties left at risk as vandals reportedly targeting Telstra’s copper phone cables

Rural properties in Queensland’s southwest are becoming the victim to unknown copper thieves targeting telephone cables.

Vandals are reportedly targeting Telstra phone cables in the Stanthorpe area leaving vulnerable residents without a working landline. Photo: File

An online community forum has revealed a number of residents in the Granite Belt region are suffering the consequences of unknown persons looking to get their hands on copper wire.

It’s understood thieves have targeted multiple Telstra telephone cables in the area, and the result for nearby residents who don’t have access to a mobile phone or internet has been costly.

In a statement to Warwick Daily News, Telstra regional general manager May Boison said a small number of landline services had been impacted.

“Vandals have unfortunately recently cut and removed some sections of cable in Stanthorpe, which has affected a small number of landline services,” Ms Boison said.

“Vandalism of any of our network infrastructure not only inconveniences local residents, it poses a potential safety threat for vulnerable customers or people with a medical condition if they lose connectivity.

“We always work closely with authorities and restore services as quickly as possible whenever our network is deliberately damaged.

“We encourage anyone who sees any suspicious activity around our network sites or infrastructure to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Queensland Police Service are yet to confirm whether these incidents are under investigation.

Originally published as Rural properties left at risk as vandals reportedly targeting Telstra’s copper phone cables