Police appeal after attempt to ignite 5G mast in Bierley

There were reports of suspicious activity at the base of the phone mast on Burnham Avenue, in Bierley, overnight on Tuesday, November 24.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS) and West Yorkshire Police rushed to the scene and secured the area.

Officers discovered that the 5G mast was not on fire, but there was evidence to show an attempt had been made to set it alight.

It comes after the same phone mast was purposely set on fire and damaged at the start of this month.

The mast was engulfed in flames, with plumes of smoke billowing into the sky, on the evening of Wednesday, November 4.

Read more about that here...

This was the second time the mast on Burnham Avenue had been targeted too, after is was destroyed by a fire on Friday, July 17.

Detective Inspector Mark Taylor, of Bradford District CID, said: “We are appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information to assist with our ongoing enquiries.

“Any deliberate ignition to these types of masts presents a significant risk to the public and disruption to road networks in the area.

"In this instance, there was not an ignition, we are taking this incident very seriously and will ensure that robust action will be taken by those responsible.

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity yesterday afternoon and may have witnessed anyone at the scene.

“A scene is currently still in place whilst we examine the area throughout today. I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to come forward and speak to the police.”

Enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or who has information that could help police, should contact Bradford District CID on 101, or by using the reporting options on the West Yorkshire Police website.

You should quote crime reference number: 13200590887.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.