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BT fiddlers sabotaged phone lines

PETER CLARK

STAFF at BT telephone exchanges have been sabotaging customers' lines to earn extra overtime.

The fiddlers were caught by spy cameras installed at exchanges across the country.

The probe, codenamed Operation Forster, started after reports that rogue technicians were deliberately fusing wiring to pocket call-out fees.

A key attraction to workers on stand-by duty is a guaranteed fee for call-outs, even if the fault can be fixed within minutes.

Several people have been sacked and some are appealing against the decision, said the Communication Workers Union, which represents BT staff.

Union disciplinary official Simon Sapper said: "If they are doing this we are not surprised they were sacked. We don't condone wrong- doing."

Cameras also spotted other scams including staff stealing BT equipment. A total of 14 people have been sacked, said BT.