Police seek woman cutting phone cables in Lincoln

Police in Lincoln are searching for a woman who is suspected of cutting phone cables. Since March 11, Openreach cables have been damaged 19 times in the Moorland Avenue and Birchwood Avenue areas. This has left many residents without phone and internet access. In two instances, vulnerable individuals lost connection to their Lifeline alarm systems. These alarms are critical for those who may need immediate medical help. The police have described the suspect as a white woman, around 35 years old, with dark hair. She has been seen riding a pink and red mountain bike and carrying a blue Co-op bag. Julie Broughton, who manages a local YMCA charity shop, expressed frustration over the outages. She noted that her shop faced losses due to Internet issues, as customers could not make card payments. "We need to be making as much money as we can," she said. The police are asking the public for any information or security footage related to the incidents. They are treating the cable cuts as deliberate acts of criminal damage. A police spokesperson commented that each time the cables are severed, many homes lose access to phone and internet services, which can be dangerous for those who need to communicate in emergencies. Openreach has been contacted for comments regarding the damages.