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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Thieves disrupt 999 phone service | Thieves disrupt 999 phone service |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Thousands of people are unable to use their phones or contact emergency services after thieves damaged cables. | Thousands of people are unable to use their phones or contact emergency services after thieves damaged cables. |
| The 999 service in much of Birmingham and the Black Country is unavailable. Engineers are working to restore the service as soon as possible. | The 999 service in much of Birmingham and the Black Country is unavailable. Engineers are working to restore the service as soon as possible. |
| A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said raiders cut through British Telecom cables at an exhange near Handsworth Sorting Office during the early hours. | |
| Anyone needing to dial 999 should use a mobile phone if possible. | Anyone needing to dial 999 should use a mobile phone if possible. |
| Alternatively, contact the police switchboard on 0845 113 500 and state the call is an emergency. | Alternatively, contact the police switchboard on 0845 113 500 and state the call is an emergency. |
| The fire service can be called from the red phone boxes outside fire stations. People should also raise the alarm with neighbours, shops and passers-by. | The fire service can be called from the red phone boxes outside fire stations. People should also raise the alarm with neighbours, shops and passers-by. |
| The affected areas include Aston, central Birmingham, Perry Barr, Handsworth, Ladywood, Blackheath, Stone Croft, West Bromwich, Tipton and Wednesbury. | The affected areas include Aston, central Birmingham, Perry Barr, Handsworth, Ladywood, Blackheath, Stone Croft, West Bromwich, Tipton and Wednesbury. |
| There is a complete service loss in some areas and partial in others and is also affecting normal phone services. | There is a complete service loss in some areas and partial in others and is also affecting normal phone services. |