Reckless conspiracy theorists pose a "risk to human life" by burning down phone masts, EE has warned.

It comes as arsonists who falsely believe 5G caused coronavirus have attacked 53 network towers across the country.

Earlier this week, a Vodafone mast serving Birmingham's Nightingale hospital was damaged in an attack.

It means vital phone signals are being disrupted at a time when connectivity is more important than ever.

Dozens of masts up and down the UK have been damaged by gullible criminals – including 23 EE sites.

"Mindless attacks on key workers and deliberately removing mobile signal is a reckless, harmful and dangerous thing to do," an EE spokesperson told The Sun.

"And aside from the obvious risk to our colleagues could have serious consequences, from preventing a call reaching the ambulance service, to stopping families being able to talk to each other.

"These senseless crimes are creating unnecessary risk to human life, both to those that live in the areas being targeted and to the emergency services working to contain the situation."

Researchers recently warned that politicians, celebrities and influencers had all been caught up in spreading fake coronavirus claims online.

A number of celebs have been caught up in fake coronavirus news scandals recently.

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has also repeatedly dismissed the seriousness of the coronavirus crisis, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary.

Zombieland star Woody Harrelson has been warning his Instagram followers about the effects of 5G and shared a video labelled “Meanwhile the Chinese are bringing 5g antennas down”.

His followers were quick to point out that the footage was from an old documentary filmed during protests in Hong Kong and that people were actually pulling down facial recognition cameras.

Others slammed him for his irresponsible message: “Nooooooo Woody, not you! Spreading things like this is dangerous,” said follower lise.km.