A Freedom of Information request has uncovered hundreds of cases of theft and vandalism targeting EV chargers across the UK, sparking calls for tougher tougher penalties for those caught targeting them.
The first national study of its kind, led by charge point operator Allego UK, gathered data from 30 police forces across the country and found more than 200 recorded incidents of cable theft and criminal damage at EV charging sites.
The crimes have cost operators millions of pounds in repairs and replacements, with the worst-affected regions – Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire – accounting for over 100 reported cases since 2022.
However, Allego warned that the true scale of the problem is likely far higher. Nearly 40% of police forces contacted said they either could not provide data or did not hold relevant records.
Paz Sharma, Managing Director of Allego UK said: ‘Based on what we hear from the industry and the prevalence of unreported cases, I wouldn’t be surprised if as many as one in twenty charging sites are being targeted.’
He added: ‘This research is a warning sign that action needs to be taken to bring EV criminals to book. It’s not just about the £25 scrap value of stolen cables – it’s about protecting the UK’s clean transport future.’
Sharma has written to the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, urging the creation of a virtual hotline to help track EV-related crime and identify organised gangs operating across regions.
The report also proposes a new cross-sector ‘EV taskforce’, bringing together government, law enforcement, and industry groups such as ChargeUK and the Electric Vehicle All-Party Parliamentary Group, to coordinate national action.
The findings come as the UK government accelerates the rollout of charging infrastructure, with plans for 300,000 public charge points by 2030. But experts warn that increasing criminal damage could erode driver confidence in the reliability of the network.
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said: ‘Cable theft has swiftly become one of the most pressing issues facing the EV charging sector. It’s a costly distraction that undermines the rollout and frustrates drivers. A coordinated response between industry, police, and government is urgently needed to tackle this growing problem.’
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