Counter-terrorism service alerted as arsonists set fire to telecom masts

Arsonists are thought to have set fire to at least six telecommunications masts in the Netherlands in recent days, and officials suspect there is a link with conspiracy theorists who say the coronavirus pandemic has been caused by the rollout of 5G services. Dutch mobile phone providers have alerted the counter terrorism unit NCTV to the fires, which appear to have started in cables at ground level. The NCTV said in a statement that protests about telecom masts are not new but that this sort of ‘extremist’ action is a ‘worrying development’. The Dutch phone providers’ association Monet has described the arson as ‘unacceptable’ and points out that the telecoms network is essential to ensure the emergency services can be alerted and that hospitals and nursing homes can communicate.