Cable theft – new nightmare over electric vans

Charge point operator BeEV has partnered with Formula Space and Derbyshire Police to crackdown on charging cable vandalism in Chesterfield. BeEV says that charging theft is a massive issue disrupting charge point operators across the country, with theft and vandalism costing the industry upwards of £500,000 based on the cost of replacement, repair and lost income.

BeEV has launched the ‘Charging Hub Intelligent Protection’ initiative, or CHIP, to deter future charger vandalism and keep locations safe and available for drivers.

BeEV is also calling on the industry at large to make sure that charging hubs across the country are equipped with similar security features to deter criminals. It has installed a mobile CCTV system which is monitored around the clock and a Tannoy system to warn any gangs of criminals that they’re being recorded.

The new system will automatically alert local police should any criminal activity occur and the site’s new ‘Selecta DNA’ protected cables give each of them a unique DNA coating, meaning the police can easily trace their origin, associate them with a criminal, and hold the vandals to account.

Adrian Fielden-Gray, BeEV’s chief operating officer, said: “Cable theft is a nightmare for everyone – especially drivers. The industry’s number one priority needs to be making sure these criminals never consider vandalising a charging site ever again. We need to come together and use the full force of the law to crack down on thieves and scrap dealers alike.

“That’s why we’re now investing heavily in protective measures whilst working closely with Derbyshire Police and our partners Formula Space. We’re working hard to eliminate the problem for Chesterfield’s EV drivers and ensure that our ultra-rapid charging hubs remain available to communities across the UK.”

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