Telephone and internet services were impacted to two areas in Abbotsford Thursday morning (Nov. 7) after cable lines were cut.
Sgt. Paul Walker, media officer with the Abbotsford Police Department (APD), said the first incident was reported just after 5 a.m. in the 33500 block of Huntingdon Road, where Telus and Rogers cable lines were cut.
Walker said the second incident was reported at 6 a.m. in the 4500 block of Sumas Mountain Road, where large Telus lines were damaged.
The APD previously reported that that same area had been impacted by wire theft on Oct. 23. It was one of a few incidents that had resulted in more than $100,000 in damages to Telus equipment and had disrupted 911 and other services.
Earlier this year, the Canadian Telecommunications Association pushed for new legislation that would impose tougher sentences for wire theft.
The organization said theft or vandalism at telecommunications site had increased 400 per cent since 2022.
"Whether it is stealing copper wires for resale as scrap metal, or deliberate attempts to damage telecommunications equipment, this rise in incidents of vandalism and theft demands further action," the agency said in a press release at the time.
"These acts cause major disruptions to affected Canadians and can have a serious impact on public health and safety."
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