Where does the UK see the most EV charger crime?

As the UK moves towards a more electric future, a new form of infrastructure crime is emerging. EV charging cables and charging points are increasingly being targeted by thieves and vandals, leaving chargers damaged, unusable or completely out of action.

Public charging hubs, workplace charging stations, home chargers and depot-based infrastructure are all vulnerable. In many cases, criminals are targeting the copper wiring found inside charging cables, while other incidents involve deliberate vandalism of the charging units themselves. Industry bodies and charging operators have warned that organised crime groups are becoming more active in this space as the UK’s charging network rapidly expands.

And the impact stretches far beyond the charger itself.

Damaged or stolen infrastructure can leave electric vans and cars off the road for days, disrupting deliveries, essential services and our daily lives. For businesses operating electric fleets, particularly those relying on vans for daily operations, a single charging point being taken offline can create delays for customers and affect productivity. For those driving electric cars, not having access to suitable charging points can quickly disrupt everyday life, from getting home after a trip to commuting, shopping or taking the kids to school.

Crimes involving EV chargers also reflects a wider trend of criminal activity linked to the UK’s green transition. Both the renewable energy and transport infrastructure sectors have been hit in recent years, with wind farms, rail networks and EV charging sites targeted due to the rising value of scrap metal. And the data backs this up. Hampshire & Isle of Wright Constabulary has found that from December 2025 – February 2026, metal theft has increased by a staggering 114% compared to the previous year. The Energy Saving Trust echoes this in their research, finding that theft and vandalism involving EV chargers more than doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year. Separately, countless businesses and members of the public have taken to social media and the news to talk about how they have been affected by this issue.

To better understand the scale of the issue, we submitted Freedom of Information requests to every police force across the UK, asking for data on recorded crimes involving EV charging cables and charging devices – from theft to vandalism and everything in between.

Of the 42 police forces contacted, 18 provided data that could be analysed in full. 22 forces declined the request, largely due to cost limitations or because the information was not centrally recorded, while one force is yet to provide a final response.

Although the findings do not provide a complete national picture, they do reveal clear trends involving this new and emerging crime.

Key takeaways

• Freedom of Information requests reveal that since 2022, at least 495 involving EV chargers and devices have been recorded by the police forces able to release this data to us

• Leicestershire Police ranks the highest of all forces, with a total of 109 recorded crimes since 2022

• Norfolk Constabulary have recorded the least number of crimes in this time period (6)

The police forces with the highest number of reported EV charger crime

 

Police forces excluded from the ranking due to incomplete yearly data

Our data reveals that since 2022, at least 494 crimes involving electric vehicle chargers and charging cables have been reported to police forces across the UK. The true figure is likely to be significantly higher, as countless incidents go unreported, and many police forces were unable to provide responses to our Freedom of Information requests.

Below, we take a closer look at the three police forces whose areas have the most reported crimes.

Leicestershire Police

The Freedom of Information request we submitted to Leicestershire Police reveals a growing trend in EV charger-related crimes, including theft, criminal damage and the unauthorised use of electricity. Since 2022, there has been a 3,533% increase in crimes involving EV chargers in the area, however, the scale could be much larger as the data only shows reported crimes.

The premises where these crimes are taking place has continued to change since 2022, with public and private businesses largely taking the hit. However, fast-forward to 2025 where more of us are able to charge EV vehicles at home, and the data suggests a growing trend where residential addresses have been targeted.

 

 

West Mercia Police

Our Freedom of Information requests reveal the staggering reality of those living in the West Midlands who drive electric vehicles. Since 2022, reported crimes involving EV chargers to West Mercia Police have increased by an eye opening 6,900%, jumping from just 1 reported crime in 2022, to 70 reported crimes in 2025.

We asked West Mercia Police to provide an overview of the postcodes where crimes involving EV chargers had taken place from 2022 – 2025. While most crimes appear sporadically, a growing trend can be seen for the following areas.

Bromsgrove (B61)

• 2022 – 0 reported crimes
• 2023 - 0 reported crimes
• 2024 – 0 reported crimes
• 2025 – 10 reported crimes

East Kidderminster (DY10)

• 2022 – 0 reported crimes
• 2023 - 0 reported crimes
• 2024 – 6 reported crimes
• 2025 – 8 reported crimes

West Kidderminster (DY11)

• 2022 – 0 reported crimes
• 2023 – 0 reported crimes
• 2024 – 10 reported crimes
• 2025 – 16 reported crimes

If you own an EV charging device and are based in one of these areas, it might be worth considering how you can best protect your equipment, as this trend suggests an uplift in criminal activity.

Nottinghamshire Police

Since 2022, at least 85 crimes have been reported to Nottinghamshire Police regarding EV charging devices, a 1,600% increase in just four years; with 2024 seeing the highest number by far:

The majority of crimes involving an EV charging device have taken place at public premises, with residential premises (dwellings) and commercial premises seeing fewer reported incidents.

Our Head of Product and Specialist Sales, Joshua Hooper, explains why emerging EV charger crime is so significant:

“EV infrastructure is only as confident as the drivers using it, and currently, criminals are undermining drivers. Our analysis of UK Police data shows a pattern across multiple forces up and down the country, which just goes to show how national this issue is.

If we want drivers to transition to electric vehicles, tackling charger crime should be a priority and not an afterthought. In my view, the EV transition isn’t just about installing more charge points; it’s about making sure chargers are dependable, secure and safe to use. This will require a concerted effort from the police, government, private organisations and everyday road users to protect the infrastructure we so vitally need for a greener future.”

 

Methodology

Northgate Vehicle Hire submitted 42 Freedom of Information requests to police forces across the UK, requesting information on the total number of crimes involving EV chargers and devices from 2022- 2025, as well as location breakdowns.

18 of the 42 police forces provided data that could be analysed at the time of writing. Crime data supplied by police forces included offences referencing stolen, damaged or vandalised EV charging cables, charging units and associated infrastructure. As recording methods vary between forces, figures may include a range of offence categories linked to EV charging infrastructure.

Police forces that did not provide complete yearly data between 2022 and 2025 were excluded from the main rankings and instead referenced separately.

As the UK’s EV infrastructure continues to expand, reliable access to charging is crucial. For companies looking to cut emissions while keeping the day-to-day running smoothly, electric vans offer a practical alternative.

Get in touch to find out more about hiring an electric van and integrating EV’s as part of your business.