EDF Energy Networks says it has restored electricity to all Bexley customers following Monday’s power failure.

The last area in the borough to receive a regular electricity supply was Slade Green.

The company said there may be small pockets of people still experiencing some interruption with their supply as engineers return the network to normal operation today.

This includes those being switched from temporary generator supplies back onto the mains grid.

During the power cut EDF used the biggest deployment of mobile generators in the history of the London network to keep up intermittent power supplies to people.

Bob Lane, EDF Energy’s director of network operations, said: "We will continue to work over the next few days to return the network fully to normal operation.

"During this period we would ask people to continue to use power for essential purposes only.”

"Generators are providing power at 76 sites in the area, including care homes, Thames Water pumping stations and ambulance stations.

"Over the next few days, these will be withdrawn and all supplies will once again be served from our electricity network.

"As this happens at each generator site, there may be brief periods of power loss of about 20 minutes.

"We would ask people to be patient as this process takes place."

Mr Lane added: "Once again we would like to thank everyone for their continued patience in these exceptional and very difficult circumstances.

"This was a major incident that required a complex and difficult solution.

"We have worked round the clock as quickly as was safely possible and we are grateful to people for being so understanding.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this incident has caused.

People still without power should contact the EDF Energy Networks Emergency Contact Centre on 0800 028 0247.

Meanwhile services in Bexley are returning to normal.

Additional police patrols took place throughout the period and will continue tonight to provide reassurance.

Police were also out on the streets posting advice notices in public places and in shops and doctors' surgeries, giving advice and emergency contact numbers.

Bexley police say there has been no increase in road traffic collisions, crime, disorder or fires.

All the public service agencies thanked local people for their patience and co-operation.

Meanwhile Kent police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Bishop, Kent Police, said: “This has caused major disruption to thousands of people and I would urge anyone with information which may help with our investigation to get in touch.

”It is too early to say whether the damage was caused by vandalism or through the attempted theft of the cable.

"Our forensic examiners have been to the scene and we continue to work closely with Kent Fire and Rescue Service fire investigators.”

If you have information which may help Kent Police with their inquiries, or saw anyone acting suspiciously around the Riverside Industrial Estate at around 1pm on Monday 20 July, call North Kent Police on 01474 366091 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.