Cable theft and BT - what we're doing about it

Question

Hi Everyone
We’ve sometimes had a few of you ask about cable theft which is a common problem not just for us, but for many other vital services such as rail and power.
The thing is, cable theft has been increasing with the increasing price of copper and affects our customers from things like providing new lines, to causing delays if cable has been stolen and caused a fault, so we take it very seriously.
We thought it would be good to give you an update on how we’re dealing with it and what you can do to help stop this crime.
What are we doing to tackle this?
We’re doing a number of things to make our network more secure, including using new technologies to help stop further attacks.
Smart Water® is a forensically traceable invisible liquid. It’s applied to cable access points and can be detected on skin, clothing and on the cables themselves. Have a look at the pics below – there’s no getting away with that glow!
Alarms are being fitted to cables
We’re working with the government to shut down the routes thieves use to dispose of the stolen metals
We’re working closely with local and national police, and have partnered with Crimestoppers to help bring criminals to justice. 
How can you help?
There are a few things that are indicators of suspicious activity, keep a look out for things like:
Work being carried out in streets and on roads by people not wearing hi-visibility vests and using unmarked vans, flatbed trucks and 4x4 vehicles
Removed or disturbed cable box covers in the pavement or at the side of the road
Any sites where there is a large quantity of cable in an unusual place, egg. local scrap dealers
Palls of unusual thick black smoke particularly seen in rural areas or an indication of unusual burning activity
What should I do if I see something suspicious?
If you see something suspicious and think it might be related to cable theft, please report it to your local police.  You don’t want that thief affecting your line! Or you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A reward is offered for information leading to a conviction.
Thanks for supporting us on this and hopefully with your help, we can continue to track down what has been a growing problem for us all.
Kerry
Retired BTCare Community Manager - StephanieG and SeanD are your new Community Managers
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Answer 1

Last night about a mile of cable was stolen in Barns Green near horsham which has cut off my business for another week or so.  The same cable was stolen in May which almost caused the closure of my business - so who knows where we will be in a week!
I had a potential good idea to help the problem though!
The cables when they are stolen are generally cut at each manhole then dragged out of the conduit in short lengths.
BT trunk cables are pressurised with air to prevent water ingress. 
What about fitting a flexible bladder around each cable so the bladder sits in the middle of the run between manholes - this could even be attached to a pull-through cable rather than the trunk.
The air pressure in the cable inflates the bladder against the walls of the conduit making it very difficult to pull the cable through.  To stop the bladder deflating when the cable is cut, the bladder is inflated through a one-way valve, constructed like a heart valve.  With no pressure in the cable, the air will stay in the bladder, but if a vacuum is applied to the cable, the pressure difference is enough to cause the valve to invert and allow air out.  The bladders would be made to slide over the cable outer to the desired location with a 'vampire tap' into the pressurised outer.
OK, these would not stop the cable being cut - but it would make them very difficult to remove from the conduit.  They would also pin any smaller cables in place similarly.
If mass produced out of something similar to inner-tube rubber I don't think they would be all that expensive compared to the copper itself.
Drop me a line if you want to discuss the idea - I'm not claiming any IPR over it, I would just like to help stop the thefts and save businesses like mine!
Si