Police probe television blackout

Last Updated: Sunday, 13 June, 2004, 13:33 GMT 14:33 UK

Police probe television blackout

Police are investigating an damage to a television transmitter which left thousands of homes without coverage.
The Wrekin transmitter in Shropshire went off air at about 2000 BST on Saturday. Engineers managed to bring it back to full power just after midnight.
Some 124,000 homes in parts of Staffordshire Shropshire, Cheshire, Black Country, Herefordshire and Worcestershire were affected.
Engineers are investigating the cause of the loss of transmission.
'Not sanctioned'
In a phone call to the BBC, someone claiming to represent Fathers 4 Justice said they had interrupted the service.
But this morning the leader of Fathers 4 Justice, Matt O'Connor, told the BBC he was not aware of the action and that it had not been sanctioned by them.
He said: "I would be very unhappy if it was one of our members. We have a strategy and this doesn't fit in with our strategy."
A spokesman for West Mercia Police confirmed an investigation had begun and that damage to equipment had been located and the cost was being assessed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/3802365.stm

Dave's note:

This action is not one condoned by F4J and has most likely been done to
denigrate F4J.

However, the loss of contact between viewers and their TV most likely upset
many people. Imagine if they lost contact with their own flesh and blood
through no fault of their own!

Dave

http://www.ottawamenscentre.com

Police probe television blackout
Police are investigating an damage to a television transmitter which left thousands of homes without coverage. The Wrekin transmitter in Shropshire went off air at about 2000 BST on Saturday. Engineers managed to bring it back to full power just after midnight. Some 124,000 homes in parts of Staffordshire Shropshire, Cheshire, Black Country, Herefordshire and Worcestershire were affected. Engineers are investigating the cause of the loss of transmission. 'Not sanctioned' In a phone call to the BBC, someone claiming to represent Fathers 4 Justice said they had interrupted the service. But this morning the leader of Fathers 4 Justice, Matt O'Connor, told the BBC he was not aware of the action and that it had not been sanctioned by them. He said: "I would be very unhappy if it was one of our members. We have a strategy and this doesn't fit in with our strategy." A spokesman for West Mercia Police confirmed an investigation had begun and that damage to equipment had been located and the cost was being assessed.