Broadband provider BT has announced plans to combat the theft of copper wires used to supply internet and landline phone services.

Throughout 2009, the telecoms giant saw a nine per cent increase in attacks on its network as thieves looked to take advantage of the surging value of the metal used in these cables.

This increase in price is partly down to rising demand from construction firms in the US, Bloomberg reported last week.

Bernie Auguste, head of security at BT Openreach - which is responsible for ensuring that rival operators have equal access to the company's local broadband network - revealed it will make use of a new invisible solution, known as SmartWater, to forensically tag criminals.

It means the police will be able to trace them back to the scene of the crime, as well as any equipment they stole, he said.

"Cable theft affects not only us as a business, but the millions of people who rely on access to phones and broadband across the UK," Mr Auguste added. 

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