BT launches 'Rabit technology' to stop metal thieves

The burglar alarm technology will alert the police within minutes of a cable being cut or tampered with. The Rabit technology will also allow BT to accurately geo-locate where the incident has happened. The system has been put in place in Scotland so that BT’s security control centre and police response teams are able to respond quicker and more accuracy any time cable thieves try and steal or interfere with the telecoms company’s broadband and phone network. BT had already carried out a trial of the Rabit technology, which its spokesman said went very successfully – forcing thieves to leave crime scenes empty-handed. "BT's new burglar alarm on the network will make thieves think again,” said Brendan Dick, BT’s Scotland director. "We are now able to inform the police of the exact location of malicious network attacks and, if trials are anything to go by, it won't be long before they start catching the thieves in the act." Paul Crowther, British Transport Police deputy chief, said the technology would act as a “major deterrent to thieves intent upon metal theft. BT has managed to collect 240 tonnes of stolen metal over the last year – having worked with the police on targeted operations and through visiting scrap metal dealers. During 2011, there were more than 480 arrests related to BT cable theft, which was up nearly eight per cent on the year.