5G conspiracy theorists attack engineers by hiding razor blades behind protest panels | United Kingdom | information

Employees working for OpenReach were asked to take care of themselves after blades and needles were found behind the protest signs. This follows an increase in attacks on engineers which has been fueled by a conspiracy theory which incorrectly claims that wireless technology can spread COVID-19.

OpenReach has recorded 68 incidents of verbal and physical abuse since April 1, up 61%.

The company, which manages the broadband network for a variety of Internet service providers, said 56 incidents (82%) were related to protests against 5G.

Catherine Colloms, director of corporate affairs at OpenReach, said: "A lot is verbal, a lot is unpleasant and really heartbreaking for our engineers who are trying to do their jobs and keep the UK connected.

"We have had a few cases of physical violence, whether it was the threat of mistreatment or of people who attacked, for example, an engineer van when they worked next door."

He added that the engineers had been wrongly accused of having installed the 5G network and of having caused cancers and coronaviruses, causing an "escalation" of attacks in recent weeks.

Among these workers was Aaron Ashton-Jones, who was about to help a vulnerable customer in Kent when a car stopped in front of his OpenReach brand pickup truck.

The driver of the car slammed on the brakes before going out and screaming of abuse.

Ashton-Jones told the BBC, “I was screaming all kinds of horrible words.

READ MORE: Expert explains why theories spread "faster than the virus itself"

OpenReach engineers are identified as key workers because they perform critical work on a national scale.

This includes building new full fiber networks on the street, but they will not enter customer premises unless there is a vulnerable customer without service.

Robert Thorburn, director of the regional OpenReach Association for the North, said: "These recent attacks on our engineers are not only deeply disturbing, they are completely untrue."

"They play a vital role in connecting crucial public services, vulnerable customers and millions of friends, families and businesses. They are not working on the 5G installation."

An OpenReach spokeswoman added: "We have received reports from other telecommunications companies that anti-5G signs have started to appear in street teams, particularly in London.

"On closer inspection, the panels have razor blades and needles glued to the back. Fortunately, none of our engineers found these items unsafe, but we did advise them on what to do if they find it. "

The theory was born in March after a video filmed at an American health conference claimed that Africa was not as affected by the disease as "this isn’t ; is not a 5G region ".

It was further discredited when the World Health Organization confirmed that there were thousands of cases of COVID-19 in Africa.

As a result, arsonists set fire to several 5G telephone poles in the UK in response to online conspiracy theories.