Cable thieves target EV charging stations in Telford and Shrewsbury
Electric vehicle owners in Telford and Shrewsbury have been left frustrated after thieves targeted two charging stations, stealing valuable cables.
The thefts have occurred at two locations: The Fallowfield pub and restaurant in Hadley, Telford, and Dobbies in Shrewsbury.
Drivers attempting to charge their vehicles at these locations discovered the cables missing. It is currently unknown if other charging stations in the county have been affected.
The Fallowfield site, which hosts eight high-powered EV chargers is managed by Osprey Charging.
Lewis Gardiner, Operations Director, Osprey Charging Network said, “We are tackling a growing number of incidents of cable theft at our rapid charging hubs across Shropshire and the West Midlands, working with local Police forces to identify the culprits on CCTV where possible.
"In some cases the presence of CCTV has not been enough of a deterrent, so we are now rolling out physical anti-theft measures such as alarms that sound when cables are cut, cable protection sheaths and tracking on the cables.
"We want to ensure our customers can rely on Osprey for a rapid re-charge, so restoring these charging hubs, once we are confident they won’t be re-targeted, is our top priority.”
The situation at Dobbies in Shrewsbury, where six chargers are operated by GRIDSERVE Electric Highway, is also problematic, the site was coned off at the time of reporting.
One motorist who spoke to Shropshire Live reported that all six cables had been cut and stolen at the Dobbies site.
The company that operates the site at Shrewsbury is aware and a GRIDSERVE spokesperson said:
“GRIDSERVE take incidents of vandalism and theft very seriously and work closely with relevant authorities when they do occur. GRIDSERVE act as quickly as possible to ensure any damaged chargers are back online in a timely manner. We are also investigating additional anti-theft measures.”
Rising trend of cable thefts
These incidents highlight a growing trend of cable theft targeting the EV charging industry. Experts warn that criminals are primarily after the copper found within the cables at rapid and ultra-rapid charging sites. These types of chargers typically have the cables permanently attached and stored externally on the charging unit, making them more accessible to thieves.
The thefts not only inconvenience EV drivers but also disrupt the ongoing expansion of the UK's charging infrastructure. The long-term impact of these thefts could lead to increased security measures at charging locations and potentially higher costs for charging.
Shropshire Live has contacted EV Operators Osprey for a comment, but they had not responded at the time of publication.
