The Rising Threats of EV Charger Site Theft: Is your site protected?

As more businesses, shopping centres, homeowners, and petrol stations invest in EV charging stations, criminals have also increased the frequency and sophistication with which they target high-value cables, equipment, and materials, particularly copper wiring.

Driven by the price of copper and the easy access to EV chargers, most of which are installed in public spaces that are accessible 24/7, this has contributed to huge losses.

Owners are left with the costs of replacing their chargers and disruption to businesses and customers, while there are further impacts on the EV charging infrastructure, which is already smaller than needed.

There are 121,262 chargers installed in the UK but the rate of cable theft at EV chargepoints is rising. An FOI from June 2025 found that West Mercia Police recorded five cable thefts in January of this year, compared with one over the entirety of 2023.

Why Are EV Charger Thefts Becoming So Common?

The EV market is growing steadily, creating demand for EV chargers at service stations, supermarkets, and other venues. However, charging cables and wiring are expensive and have a high resale value, which is why police forces across the UK have seen spikes in reported thefts and vandalism.

Now, police forces are even logging instances of cable-cutting to be able to respond to freedom of information requests, demonstrating the scale of the problem.

Copper has long been a valuable commodity, which is one reason criminals target empty and vacant homes where they can strip out the wiring.

Recently, global copper prices have also soared, which has exacerbated the threat, especially copper theft in outdoor EV charging stations in publicly accessible spaces.

While the costs of replacing and repairing damaged or vandalised EV chargers are high, there are also environmental concerns. Limited infrastructure growth may deter drivers from switching to an EV, where they can see that there aren’t enough facilities to charge their vehicles, or where charging stations are always cordoned off following an incident.

How to Protect EV Charger Sites From Theft

Each site may have varied risks and vulnerabilities, which is why the best place to start is with a thorough evaluation. This ensures that charging station owners do not invest in security that leaves gaps, such as implementing new surveillance covering an entrance without recognising that other entry routes remain undefended.

During a site risk appraisal, we’ll look at:

• The lighting on-site and whether this is sufficient for all times of the day and year.
• How many potential entry routes are there, noting that criminals won’t necessarily use main roadways and that rear entry over open land is possible.
• The levels of traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular, on and around the charging station, and whether there are times when covert activity could go undetected.
• The number, layout and positioning of EV chargers.

From there, we can advise on the best deterrents, surveillance, and tamper-resistant features, often blending technological solutions with CCTV and guarded patrols for sites with elevated risks or where there have been repeated previous incidents of theft.

EV Charging Station Security Services

1. Start with CCTV Installation

Prevention is always the goal, and for many EV charging stations, CCTV surveillance is essential. Visible cameras and signage covering all chargers are a strong deterrent and are usually combined with surveillance extending to all entrances and exits.

Car parks equipped with CCTV see an average 37% reduction in crime, whereas those with active and responsive cameras that emit audible alarms, warnings, or trigger security team deployments generate a further 15% drop in criminal activity.

The CCTV cameras best suited to EV charging stations may include:

• CCTV towers units for larger outdoor sites or where there isn’t the infrastructure to install hard-wired cameras powered by mains electricity.
• Autonomous solar and battery-powered camera units, either mast-mounted or affixed to walls, fencing or other structures.
• AI-enabled CCTV, which can analyse movements and activities and trigger a pre-emptive alert if suspicious behaviour may indicate an intent to steal or vandalise.

High-value EV charging stations can take this further and integrate advanced AI-supported technologies like automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). This can store evidence over periods when unusual movements have been recorded to allow for prompt and preventative investigations.

2. Install Outdoor Lighting at EV Charging Sites

Charging stations that are poorly lit are inevitably more likely to be targeted. Dark corners and the cover of darkness make it easier for criminals to enter the site and vandalise or steal components without being seen.

Security lighting improves visibility, makes it impossible for thieves to act without being seen, and augments the effectiveness of CCTV cameras. Options like motion-activated lighting reduce the costs of lighting an outdoor charging station while making the site more comfortable for genuine customers.

Daniel Meeajane

Business Development Director, Clearway

Daniel Meeajane

EV charger sites face escalating theft risks driven by copper prices and 24/7 accessibility in public spaces. Implementing integrated CCTV, perimeter security, and monitoring systems significantly reduces vulnerability and protects infrastructure investment.

3. Install preventative methods

We often recommend concrete barriers and bollards positioned around possible entry routes, such as lanes or access points behind the boundary of a charging station or areas of woodland and open land.

Crash-rated bollards prevent any vehicle from accessing the site, and combined with clear lighting, signage, CCTV cameras and notices warning opportunist criminals that they are under surveillance, this can mitigate security risks by a considerable level.

Do you run an EV charger site? Speak to Clearway about EV charger security today

Speak to us today for a tailored risk appraisal and discover how to protect your infrastructure, reputation, and customers from avoidable disruption. Or find out more about how we can secure your EV site here.

Written by Daniel Meeajane

Business Development Director, Clearway Fire and Security

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Daniel Meeajane is Business Development Director at Clearway Fire and Security, bringing strong commercial expertise alongside a detailed understanding of fire protection systems and industry standards.

Having contributed to a number of major projects and delivered successful outcomes, Daniel uses his knowledge and experience to drive awareness of effective fire protection solutions across a wide range of environments. His approach combines relationship-led business development with a clear understanding of technical compliance, operational requirements, and customer risk.

Daniel has a strong understanding of BS 5839-1, recognising the importance of compliant fire detection and alarm system design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance. He also keeps pace with the latest developments in fire technology, ensuring clients benefit from informed guidance, up-to-date solutions, and best practice across every stage of delivery.