BT Do Not Report Pay Phone Vandalism To Police!

Low level vandalism is a nightmare. Broken telephone kiosks in particular not only are dangerous to users and pedestrians and of course animals. But attacking telephone kiosks denudes the community of much needed facilities.

It is because of these constant attacks that Wednesfield North Councillor Phil Bateman raised the issue at a recent police forum. At the forum the police informed him that they were not aware of the fact that the Pay Phone in this location was constantly being vandalised.

Armed with this information Councillor Bateman contacted BT Payphones about the damage that is being caused to the kiosk located in Wednesfield North.

Councillor Phil Bateman said " I have now been in touch with BT Payphones concerning the Pay Phone Lichfield Road/Broad Lane North. They inform me that they do not 'crime' damage to kiosks.

They tell me that they leave it to local residents to report the crime to the police! Stating that it would take too much time to report individual incidents?

In fact the person whom I spoke to said that the Payphone Kiosk attacks in our location were not excessive!

When I pressed them on the issue they informed me that they have had 4 incidents -one a month- from April through to July- on this phone kiosk.

The latest incident in this month has yet to get through their internal reporting procedures.

The fact is that low level crime is taking place that is of concern to residents and there appears to be no plan in place to deter or capture those that are responsible? Why because this huge company is not criming the incidents but appear happy to just allow their customer to pick up the bill for damage caused!

There is no liaison with the police about problems, so the police are unaware of the situation. The youths that smash the Pay Phone up continue to make residents unhappy and the circle continues month after month year after year!

It is not good enough and it has to stop.I think BT are arrogant with regard to the way they are dealing with these incidents. The Bill nationally must be huge, thousands of crimes committed and no crime reported! Customers and shareholders should rise up and join me in complaining to this multi-national business, about their need to restrain costs and to act in a responsible way to the communities and shareholders/stakeholders they serve.

But most important is a local plan that would allow the residents in this area of Wednesfield to have some confidence that this facility remains useable and free from vandalism.Under the watchful eye of the local police"