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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Thieves disrupt 999 phone service | Thieves disrupt 999 phone service |
| (4 days later) | |
| Up to 35,000 people in Birmingham are unable to use their phones or contact emergency services after thieves damaged cables during a burglary. | Up to 35,000 people in Birmingham are unable to use their phones or contact emergency services after thieves damaged cables during a burglary. |
| BT engineers have managed to restore 3,000 lines but say it may be Monday evening before all are restored. | BT engineers have managed to restore 3,000 lines but say it may be Monday evening before all are restored. |
| The 999 service in much of Birmingham and the Black Country is unavailable. People are asked to use mobile phones. | The 999 service in much of Birmingham and the Black Country is unavailable. People are asked to use mobile phones. |
| A police spokeswoman said raiders cut through BT cables at an exchange near Handsworth Sorting Office. | A police spokeswoman said raiders cut through BT cables at an exchange near Handsworth Sorting Office. |
| The raid happened in the early hours of Sunday. | The raid happened in the early hours of Sunday. |
| Anyone in need of the emergency services is advised to contact the police switchboard on 0845 113 5000 and state the call is an emergency. | Anyone in need of the emergency services is advised to contact the police switchboard on 0845 113 5000 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 a partial loss in others. It is also affecting normal phone services. | There is a complete service loss in some areas and a partial loss in others. It is also affecting normal phone services. |