Openreach engineers in Bristol have been abused by a resident who accused them of installing 5G equipment.
The UK's largest phone and broadband network says there has been a recent increase in incidents across the south west and the rest of the UK involving engineers being subjected to intimidation.
The abuse is often linked to social media conspiracy theories which suggest 5G is responsible for the coronavirus crisis, Somerset Live reports.
Mobile phone masts across the country have also been targeted in arson attacks by conspiracy theorists.
With more than 3,500 Openreach engineers based in the south west, many have been abused and intimidated while carrying out their work.
In Bristol, a group of engineers were reportedly confronted by a resident who removed one of the protective guard rails surrounding the manhole they were working in.
The resident then shouted abuse at them and accusing them of installing 5G equipment, Openreach said.
In Weston-super-Mare, two engineers were reportedly verbally abused with obscene language while working.
A man on a pushbike is said to have accused the engineers of causing cancer through 5G and, when he was ignored, threw a can of energy drink at one of the engineers.
Two further incidents have been reported in Weston, including one in which a member of the public threatened to beat up engineers.
In Glastonbury, an engineer was reportedly abused by a woman who accused him of installing 5G and threatened to "get him arrested".
Matthew Galley, Openreach’s partnership director for the south west, 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.
“Our engineers are designated key workers and closely following government guidance in terms of social distancing.
“At this time, they’re primarily focussed 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 in Exeter.”
Openreach 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.
