EV charging networks fight back against £500K theft and vandalism wave
Electric vehicle charging networks are stepping up security after rising theft and vandalism cost the industry over £500,000 last year. National provider Be.EV has now teamed up with Formula Space and Derbyshire Police to tackle the problem in Chesterfield. The move follows repeated incidents affecting hundreds of charge points across the UK. Be.EV operates 700 live charge points, many of which have faced cable theft and damage. To deter criminals, the company has installed a mobile CCTV system and a public address tannoy at its 85 Saltergate Charging Hub in Chesterfield. Adrian Fielden-Gray, the firm's COO, called the thefts unacceptable and urged the entire sector to prioritise prevention.
The company has also pushed for wider adoption of deterrents and surveillance at charging sites. Other providers have taken similar steps. InstaVolt, for example, now uses extra CCTV, security patrols, SmartWater tagging, and GPS tracking for its cables. Support for these measures has come from local law enforcement. Derbyshire Police's PCSO Emma Shimwell welcomed the collaboration, stressing the importance of joint efforts between charge point operators and police. The industry's response will be further highlighted at the upcoming CiTTi Awards on 26 November 2024, where innovations in EV charging infrastructure will be recognised.
The new security measures aim to cut financial losses and improve reliability for EV drivers. With Be.EV and InstaVolt leading the way, more charging hubs are expected to adopt similar protections. The partnership with police signals a stronger, coordinated approach to combating cable crime.
