A sharp rise in the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging points in rural and underdeveloped areas is, according to G4S, creating a dangerous security blind spot that is being exploited by organised crime groups seeking high-value copper cabling.
Rural installations of charging ports surged by 45% last year – outpacing the 35% growth seen in urban settings according to recent government data – and are essential for the UK’s 2030 infrastructure goals. However this rapid roll-out into isolated areas, often near motorway gateways, provides criminals with the perfect combination of zero surveillance and quick escape routes.
To combat this, G4S has deployed AI-powered security technology at charging ports it protects that has already slashed vandalism and cable theft by 40% across nationwide hubs – moving the industry from reactive recording to proactive, real-time intervention.
There is concern the number of thefts will grow, with the value of copper inside each cable having risen significantly in the past year – each one now contains around £25 worth of metal.
Criminal gangs are also using increasingly sophisticated “guerrilla” tactics to strip sites in broad daylight. They frequently use cloned contractor vans and high-visibility PPE to pose as legitimate maintenance crews, disabling entire charging hubs in minutes.
While the impact of charging bays being unavailable extends beyond just repair costs. The network charge point operator faces significant reputational damage, with consumers being less likely to return to a charging port if it is out of action.
Simon Martindill, Head of the G4S Academy for UK & Ireland said: “While a thief might only net £25 in scrap copper per cable, the Charge Point Operator (CPO) faces a costly bill when accounting for repairs, lost revenue, reputational harm with customers, and the risk of heavy government fines for service downtime.
“The increase in rural and underdeveloped locations will be seen as an opportunity by gangs – who are already increasingly operating across county lines to exploit gaps in local police jurisdiction.
“This is why proactive security is so vital. By using AI-powered technology to detect and challenge suspicious activity in real-time, we are helping operators move from reactive recording to active prevention – which has already resulted in a 40% reduction in theft and vandalism across our hubs.”
G4S’s proactive “Smart Edge” security model moves beyond traditional CCTV, which often only records a theft after the damage is done. By utilising AI-powered analytics, the G4S system can detect suspicious behaviour – such as loitering or unusual heat thresholds – and trigger immediate deterrents.
This layered defence system includes:
● Alerting: Analytics identify unusual or suspicious behaviour and flag an alert.
● Audio deterrence: AI-triggered speakers that warn offenders they are being monitored in real-time.
● Live intervention: Remote security operators who can challenge individuals via two-way audio.
● Mobile response: Rapid dispatch of physical security teams to secure the site and gather evidence.
In a nationwide rollout across 76 hubs, according to the company, this G4S-managed security architecture achieved an estimated 40% reduction in vandalism and cable theft within the first six months. Additionally, remote visual troubleshooting has allowed operators to reduce physical site visits by 25%, further protecting their commercial business model. Managing the bays centrally allows a single staff member to have a consolidated view of all of the bays – which is particularly important given the geographically dispersed nature of the bays.
