Broadband firm Openreach has insisted that abuse directed at its engineers over 5G conspiracy theories must stop.

The company says an increase in such abuse is "hampering essential work" to keep customers and public services - including GP surgeries, pharmacies, emergency services and food distribution outlets - connected.

Openreach, which is used by customers of BT, Sky, Plusnet and TalkTalk, says it has seen an increase in its engineers being subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation over the theory that 5G is linked to the coronavirus crisis.

Mobile phone masts across the country have also been targeted in arson attacks as conspiracists claim the electromagnetic waves of the 5G network have somehow induced the pandemic.

Openreach said one of its network engineers was driving on Sheppey when a vehicle stopped suddenly in front of him.

The driver reportedly got out and "used obscene language to abuse the engineer", accusing him of being a "cancer spreader" and a "coronavirus spreader".

The driver then allegedly punched the window of the engineer’s van and used his phone to record the engineer's face and van registration number.

The firm says dozens of other incidents, including engineers having bottles of water thrown at them, have happened across the country.

Laura Whelan, Openreach's partnership director for the South East, said: "These recent attacks on our engineers, here and elsewhere in the UK, is not only deeply concerning but totally misjudged.

"They’re playing a vital role in connecting crucial public services, vulnerable customers and millions of friends, families and businesses. They are not working on installing 5G."

She added: "Our engineers are designated key workers and closely following government guidance in terms of social distancing.

"At this time, they’re primarily focused on the build, repair and maintenance of connections that support critical national infrastructure.

"This work includes the NHS - where our engineers have been installing and upgrading phone and broadband services in support of the new Nightingale hospitals, including at ExCel in London."

Openreach says its engineers receive guidance and support in how to respond to any threats by members of the public where they feel unsafe and all incidents are reported to both an internal security team and the police, if necessary.

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