Invisible marker reducing cable theft - Openreach

Cables are coated with a forensic liquid marker which leaves a unique DNA trace on skin and clothing

The company which runs the UK's digital network says an invisible marker has helped to reduce cable theft in Lincolnshire.

Openreach staff have coated miles of underground cables with a forensic liquid marker which leaves a unique DNA trace on skin and clothing.

The firm said the anti-theft measure helped to secure three recent convictions in the county.

The overall number of cable thefts across its network had reduced by almost a third in the past year, Openreach added.

Incidents where thieves strip cables from exchange boxes or beneath manhole covers often cause widespread phone and broadband disruption.

In 2022, thieves stole thousands of feet of copper cable in Scredington near Sleaford, leaving 150 villagers without broadband or landlines.

In a similar incident in Harby, near Lincoln, 200 homes and businesses were left disconnected after thieves stole 13,000ft (4,000m) of cable.

Openreach said cables coated with the synthetic DNA and UV tracer linked criminals to crime scenes.

Richard Ginnaw, from Openreach, said: "We take the security of our network seriously and have a wide range of crime prevention tools to prevent thefts and catch those responsible.

"[The technology] is proving to be one of the best.”

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