Surge in EV charging cable thefts across the West Midlands
April 4th, 2025
Electric vehicle charging cable thefts are on the rise in the West Midlands, with charger operators reporting increasing incidents across the region.
InstaVolt reported 33 thefts across 13 of its sites since November 2023, resulting in around £410,000 in damages. Other operators, including Osprey and Motor Fuel Group, also confirmed a spike in cable thefts, citing organised crime and increased disruption to services.
Companies are implementing deterrents such as CCTV, lighting, alarms, tougher cable designs, and traceable security ink to combat the issue.
West Mercia Police confirmed the trend as a growing concern, noting a rise from one reported theft in 2022–23 to 19 in 2024. Police say they are working with operators and have mapped charger locations to improve response times.