A theft of copper piping from a Redbridge Council building over the weekend caused computer systems to fail and led to problems with the council’s website.
The loss of the pipes from the building in Clements Road, Ilford, had an impact on its air-conditioning leading to the council’s servers over-heating.
The building had to be closed down for repairs, a council spokesman said today.
Redbridge Police say the theft took place between 9pm on Sunday and 8.30am on Monday.
The Redbridge i website was temporarily unavailable and there was minor disruption to back-office systems, he added.
He said there were no issues for residents contacting the council by telephone, but Wilson Chowdhry, of A.A. Security Ltd, Green Lane, Ilford, said he could not be connected through the council’s switchboard yesterday.
He said: “I was trying to organise a meeting with a council officer and I had to pop up to Lynton House and get a security officer to make an appointment for me.
“I can imagine it’s a real imposition for some people.” The council spokesman said: “We are working hard to rectify the problems caused.”
Anyone with information should contact Det Con Arif Siddiq at Ilford CID on 020 8345 2624.
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