Two men have been charged following the theft of electric vehicle (EV) charging cables worth thousands of pounds in Brierley Hill, West Midlands Police confirmed.
Charges and suspects
Jason Hill, 42, of no fixed address, and Martin Plant, 44, of Bilston, were both charged with theft from a motor vehicle. They appeared before magistrates on 15 March 2025 and were remanded in custody pending a further hearing.
Incident details
The thefts occurred overnight on 12 March 2025 at a car park in Brierley Hill. Officers responded to reports of suspicious activity and arrested the two men at the scene. A quantity of EV charging cables were recovered, along with tools believed to be used in the thefts.
Detective Constable Sarah Thompson of West Midlands Police said: “These thefts cause significant inconvenience and financial loss to EV drivers. We are committed to tackling this type of crime and will continue to work with businesses and the public to prevent further incidents.”
Impact on EV drivers
The theft of charging cables has become a growing concern for electric vehicle owners, as replacement cables can cost several hundred pounds. The incidents in Brierley Hill highlight the need for enhanced security measures at public charging points.
Police have advised EV owners to consider using locking cables or parking in well-lit areas. They also urged anyone witnessing suspicious behaviour to report it immediately.
Police appeal
West Midlands Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area to come forward. They believe there may be additional victims and are asking them to make contact.
The force has increased patrols in the area and is working with local businesses to improve security at charging stations.
