In total, six EV charging cables have been stolen from the University of Worcester’s Severn Campus but police have confirmed it is a wider issue across Worcestershire.
The theft of the cables at the university happened on Friday, January 3. Meanwhile, one arrest has already been made in connection with some of the thefts which have taken place across Worcestershire.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “We are currently investigating several thefts of EV cables across Worcester and Bromsgrove.
“A 27-year-old man was arrested yesterday (6 January) on suspicion of theft. He remains in police custody as enquiries continue.”
A member of the public, who did not wish to be identified, said: “Someone has gone around cut and taken all the electrical cables off the fast chargers. This has happened at the University of Worcester and also in Bromsgrove.”
“I have an electric car. But can’t charge it because most of the charging points in Bromsgrove and Droitwich have had there charging leads stolen.
“The one at Asda Bromsgrove was still on with live wires. My son had to push the emergency switch and reported it. Someone is going to get hurt.”
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A spokesperson for the University of Worcester said: “EV charging cables were stolen from six machines at University’s Severn Campus. We are working closely with the police as they investigate the situation.
“There is still ample capacity for students, staff and the community for charging electric vehicles at Severn Campus.”
In September 2023, the UK Government published a statement that 80 per cent of new cars and 70 per cent of new vans sold in Great Britain must be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100 per cent by 2035.
In a statement online a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “This will mean that car owners will increasingly be encouraged to move away from petrol and diesel cars towards electric vehicles.”