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Telecoms engineers suffer ‘murder threats’ over bizarre 5G coronavirus conspiracy


CONSPIRACY thugs are threatening to "murder" telecoms engineers over a bizarre theory 5G caused deadly coronavirus.

Workers claim they have been harassed by warped conspiracy theorists despite not even working on the technology.

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 Telecoms engineers have been threatened over false claims 5G spread coronavirus
Telecoms engineers have been threatened over false claims 5G spread coronavirusCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Some engineers have suffered knife threats while others have been warned they will be physically attacked while playing a "crucial role" in keeping the network alive for Brits during coronavirus lockdown.

This is despite top scientists and MPs rubbishing the conspiracy theory.

Mike, 28, who has been an engineer for nine years, told the BBC: "Incidents range from people shouting abuse, videoing, asking us why we're putting up death towers, why we're going to fry everyone.

"We've had objects thrown at engineers. Threats saying they'll come back with groups of lads and stab them. We've had people threaten to shoot us if we don't leave."


Sam, 26, from Plymouth, is currently helping out across the UK for NHS Nightingale hospitals but says his truck was damaged by a yob who believed he was working on 5G.

The dad-of-two said engineers have been forced to remove signage from their vans and are wearing non-branded uniforms in a bid to stop further attacks.

He added: "I know of other engineers on sites that have been vandalised - and they've set fire to masts and the cabins have been smashed up.

"My family is concerned. My wife's at home, she nags me day in day out when I leave the house, to keep in contact and make sure I'm ok.

"I love my job and we're helping to keep everyone including the emergency services connected at this crucial time, so I couldn't feel more valued as an engineer."

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Dozens of masts up and down the UK have been damaged by gullible arsonists after the false claim was spread that 5G could be behind the pandemic.

The theory originated last month after a video filmed at a US health conference claimed Africa was not as affected by the disease because it is "not a 5G region".

Vandals then set masts in Birmingham, Liverpool and Merseyside on fire.

Politicians, celebrities and influencers have all been caught up in spreading fake coronavirus claims online.

Michael Gove slammed the conspiracy theory as "dangerous nonsense", while National Medical Director of NHS England Stephen Powis said: "[It's] complete and utter rubbish and the worst kind of fake news."




The Communication Workers Union (CWU), who represent thousands of workers, say they have had around 120 cases of abuse reported to them.

Deputy general secretary said: "We've actually had cases where people have been threatened with being stabbed, threatened with physical violence and in some cases actually threatened with murder"

The National Crime Agency has confirmed there has been a spate of arson attacks recently and criminal damage to telecommunication masts.

 Network masts have been set alight by yobs
Network masts have been set alight by yobsCredit: PA:Press Association
 Telecoms boxes have also been damaged
Telecoms boxes have also been damagedCredit: Reuters
 Scientists have rubbished the claims
Scientists have rubbished the claimsCredit: Reuters
Eamonn Holmes denies 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory after sparking hundreds of Ofcom complaints