The security funsters at G4S have developed a new AI-powered security system to try and combat the growing issue of cable thefts at remote rapid charging stations. 

The company says that its new tech has already reduced vandalism and cable thefts by 40% at the sites it’s been installed on. 

The issue is that copper has become so valuable in recent years that a rapid charger unit can contain as much as £25 worth of the stuff in a length of cable, which makes a charging hub quite lucrative. 

G4S says that criminal gangs are increasingly targeting sites in quieter areas using bold tactics like cloning the numberplates and stickers of official vans and donning high-vis gear to look like authentic workers, stripping copper cables from a site in minutes. 

Instavolt recently reported that it was using GPS trackers built into its cables to track thieves down after they'd been stolen, with the company's boss saying that the thefts were a "growing challenge".

Simon Martindill from G4S says that it’s not just the cost of the metal that can have an impact: “The charge point operator 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.”

The G4S system uses AI to monitor video feeds, and if it detects unusual or erratic behaviour it can firstly warn people that the areas are being monitored, can alert a human camera operator for review, and then mobile response teams can be despatched as a fine option.