Drivers are being warned not to leave Electric Vehicle charging cables unsecured.

Waste removal company Divert.co.uk say that you shouldn’t leave your electric charging cable outside your home unnecessarily.  Scrap metal thieves have labelled them as must-have items.

Valuable connections

“Car chargers are particularly appealing to thieves because they can be sold for up to £200. They are selling them everywhere, eBay, Facebook, and to dodgy scrap dealers,” said Mark Hall, founding director of Divert.co.uk. “They can be pretty costly and inconvenient for you to replace, so it’s best to keep it locked away from the crooks.”

In recent years, criminal gangs have targeted various sources of high value metals. The copper in telephone cables and lead from church roofs are two examples. The metal in electric car chargers is becoming increasingly sought after by thieves looking to make quick money, according to Hall.

“With more people going green and choosing electric cars over petrol and diesel, there are more charging cables available for thieves to target,” he said.

Locked in and out of sight

Most plug-in vehicles have systems in place that lock the charger into position. This means owners can leave the car charging securely during the day or overnight. Sometimes this will require the vehicle to be locked. Owners or users of EVs and plug in hybrids must read their manual and understand how to secure their charging lead effectively.

When not in use, Hall advises drivers to keep the charging cable locked away and out of sight.