A REWARD of up to £1000 is being offered after communication cables serving hundreds of homes and businesses in Glasgow were set alight twice over the weekend.

We told last week how lids were initially removed from two footway boxes containing broadband and phone cables in Springboig Avenue, Cranhill, at about 1am on Friday.

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Flammable liquid was poured on the cables before they were set alight, meaning Openreach engineers had to work for several hours to repair the links.

But after they left at around midnight the footway boxes were again targeted in the early hours of Saturday, with damage becoming more difficult to repair.

Bernie Auguste, director of security services for the firm, said: "These incidents have severely impacted the day-to-day lives of people across Springboig - especially during this difficult time where people are staying inside because of coronavirus and are very reliant on their telephone and broadband to communicate with friends, family and loved ones.

"We are working very closely with Police Scotland to catch those who are responsible and have deployed additional security enhancements across the area, but we also need your help.

"Please be vigilant and if you saw anything suspicious on or around the time of the incidents, report it.
"If you prefer not to speak directly to police, then please contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously."

The damage left a number of houses and businesses in the area without use of their phone lines, broadband and TV services.

All services had been restored by Monday afternoon.
Now the reward is on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the incident.

Angela Parker, national manager at Crimestoppers Scotland, said: "These incidents have disrupted essential broadband services and can even impact on local emergency and essential public services.

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"Happening at a time when we are confined to our home shows how little these criminals care about the consequences of their actions.

"To be damaging essential communications cables during a global pandemic is especially heartless."

She added: "This is why we are urging people - anyone who may know of the people behind these arson attacks - to come forward.

"We know that some people feel unable to speak directly to the authorities, which is why our charity is here to help support those with crime information.

"We guarantee that you will stay 100% anonymous."
Police are also investigating another incident over the weekend in Hollowglen Road - half a mile from Springboig Avenue.

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A spokeswoman said: "Police were called to two incidents of wilful fire-raising to phone cables in Glasgow on Friday, 24 April, 2020.

"The first incident happened around 9.05am on Springboig Avenue and the second on Hollowglen Road around 11.55am.

"Inquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0726 of 24 April, 2020."