Latest news with #DetInspMcAnee
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
West Belfast: Hospitals having difficulty contacting patients after 5G mast fire
Hospitals are having difficulties contacting patients and managing "critical on-call arrangements," after a 5G mast was set on fire in west Belfast, police have fire, in the Glen Road, was reported to police at about 20:40 BST on follows a recent series of arson attacks on masts, mostly in west fire was put out by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS). 'Vulnerable members of society' PSNI Det Insp McAnee said latest in a series of attacks on 5G masts in the area had was having a "damaging impact on individuals, businesses and vital services".The officer said affected hospitals in the area were having communication problems and that members of the public, particularly those who are vulnerable, are being "left in a position where they are unable to make emergency calls or contact family".Police are appealing to the public to come forward with any information and said they were actively pursuing a number of lines of believe there are people with knowledge that could assist us in identifying those responsible for these attacks MP for the area, Paul Maskey, said the "ongoing campaign by a small minority to destroy vital infrastructure in our city is having a detrimental impact on our communities"."The fact that these arsonists feel comfortable carrying out these acts in broad daylight on a main road is deeply concerning, and is an indictment of the lack of action taken to date."
BBC News
03-07-2025
- BBC News
West Belfast 5G masts: Man arrested for arson
A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a number of counts of arson on 5G masts in west said they believe these attacks are not the work of a single individual.A sixth arson attack on 5G towers in three weeks was reported on June 2023, 16 arson attacks on 5G towers took place in west Belfast, with the most recent attack near the Rathcoole estate, in Newtownabbey, bringing the total to 17. The man who was arrested remains in police Insp McAnee said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) "continue to keep an open mind and are actively pursuing a number of lines of enquiry"."It is our current assessment that these attacks are not the work of a single individual."It is therefore important to reiterate our appeal for the public's assistance. "We remain of the belief that there are individuals out there who will have knowledge that could assist us in identifying those responsible and stopping these attacks."Police added that the public should continue to see increased police visibility around the affected areas."Engagement with stakeholders will continue as part of our effort to ensure that steps are taken to protect this critical infrastructure and prevent future incidents," Det Insp McAnee said. Cornerstone, the firm responsible for maintaining the physical masts which provide signal for network providers, previously told BBC News NI it was aware that some people have concerns about mobile phone base stations."The strong consensus of expert groups and public health agencies, such as the World Health Organization, is that no health risks have been established from exposure to the low-level radio signals used by these base stations," Cornerstone said.
