Man arrested after claiming to be telecoms engineer in Hythe
Police were called to an alarm activation from a manhole cover
A New Forest man claiming to be carrying out scheduled telecoms works in Hythe has been arrested on suspicion of theft.
Police were called out to Butts Bridge Hill at around 2.00am this morning (Monday 12th August), after an alarm activation on a manhole cover being lifted.
Officers found 100 metres of cable on a path, seemingly pulled from the cover.
The cable was seen to be leading to a car parked a short distance away.
A man on the scene told them he was a sub-contracted engineer - but BT and Virgin Media confirmed no work was due to be taking place.
A 33 year old man from Ashurst has been arrested and a vehicle seized as part of investigations.
He remains in Hampshire Police custody.