Street cabinet covers taken in metal theft 'wave'

Repairs are set to be carried out on telecommunications cabinets in Nottinghamshire following a spate of metal thefts.

Virgin Media confirmed covers had been stolen from its cabinets, which provide homes with phone and internet connectivity, in and around Nottingham.

Residents in Chilwell, where a number of covers were taken, said the cabinets had been left looking "untidy and potentially dangerous".

A spokesperson for Virgin Media said the safety risk was low, but residents were asked not to touch or go near the cabinets until engineers could attend.

Luke Smith, of Chilwell, said at first he thought the covers had been removed for official repair work.

He said: "It is a bit odd that they would all just disappear like that, and leave everything exposed looking quite untidy - it's an eyesore.

"What if some children start meddling with the exposed wires?"

Gerry Derbyshire, 70, said the street cabinets in their current state looked "scruffy".

She added: "It needs to be fixed straight away."

A spokesperson for Virgin Media confirmed the company would look to repair the cabinets as soon as possible.

They added: "Unfortunately, following a recent wave of metal theft in the Nottingham area, covers of cabinets housing broadband equipment have been targeted and stolen.

"If residents in the area notice any cabinets with missing lids, they are advised to report this to the relevant operator."

Nottinghamshire Police has been approached for comment.

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.