As the number of EV charging stations grows so does the number of opportunities for criminals to target them. Worried yours could be next? Read on to find out how CCTV Towers can benefit your EV charging station security.
EV charging station security may not seem central when you first install them, however, criminals love to take advantage of low risk, high reward targets and unfortunately your EV stations provide them with that.
We delve into the importance of EV charging station security and how our Rapid Deployment CCTV Towers can benefit you and help with tackling the associated security challenges.
Why you Should Implement EV Charging Station Security
EV charging station crime has been on the rise steadily as the number of charging points increases across the nation.
In 2022 councillors spoke out in Sheffield after finding charging cables on council machines had been hacked off and stolen. This crime has been seen elsewhere in other places in the UK, including Bournemouth and Oxford.
Due to Government backing and the UK’s Net Zero promise, the demand for more EV charging points will increase in order to fulfil the number of EV drivers that would require them. However, as charging point numbers grow, so does the number of targets for criminals.
Without EV charging station security, criminals can remain undetected with councils and businesses having no way of following up with any legal or criminal proceedings. This leaves you with the financial burden of repairing the damage or replacing equipment.
The financial implications can vary heavily, and repeated crime can become expensive, therefore implementing security measures to prevent this from taking place and the expenses faced as a consequence of this.
It also helps to reduce downtime as damage can lead charging points to be non-functional.
However, utilising the correct security measure or blend of measures is crucial in securing your EV charging stations as needed. Simply installing the cheapest option may not provide any prevention to the challenges faced by them.
What are Rapid Deployment Mobile CCTV Towers?
Our Rapid Deployment CCTV Towers are all-in-one temporary security solutions that can be used across various industries such as critical infrastructure and traffic management projects.
Combining crime deterrent factors and monitoring capabilities, our CCTV Towers work to prevent, capture and intercept crime.
Standing up to 6m tall and painted bright yellow, they create a bold security presence backed by high-quality cameras with HD PTZ technology, wireless video transmission and video recording that allows you to stay on top of crime.
The Benefits of CCTV Towers for EV Charging Station Security
There are various security measures that you can utilise for EV charging station security such as security guards and physical barriers. Although these can be effective as part of a blended approach alongside CCTV, they do not necessarily offer a complete security solution that can protect your EV stations from the unique challenges presented to them.
During our 20-years of experience, we have watched how the market has changed and developed security to support customers with this.
Our Rapid Deployment CCTV Towers have supported multiple industries and with EV crime on the rise, we look into the benefits CCTV Towers can bring to boost EV charging station security:
Deters and Prevents Crime
There are multiple ways our CCTV Towers deter and prevent crime from taking place, specifically theft and vandalism which are two main challenges faced by EV charging stations.
The initial form of defence is through the CCTV Tower’s design, standing up to 6m tall and painted bright yellow, their aim is to create a strong security presence that can deter criminals from approaching your EV stations.
If criminal activity continues, there are further tools to deter crime including live voice-down audio from operators to challenge individuals to make it known to those in the surrounding area that active crime is taking place.
Criminals rely on keeping their identity hidden and these features strip them of this.
Video Analytics to Track Unauthorised Individuals and Vehicles
With all of our products including the Rapid Deployment CCTV Towers, we offer video analytics software and ANPR capabilities that provide advanced detection of any unauthorised individuals and vehicles.
Most EV charging stations are located in car parks which often provide open access to the general public and their vehicles. However, this also allows easy access for criminals.
Whether criminals are there by foot or by vehicle, it is important that the main security measure you have in place can effectively track them both as this information is vital for the Police.
Such information can help to recoup financial losses and ensure criminals receive the consequences deserved for the disruption and damage caused.
Remotely Monitors, Assesses and Responds to Threats
Theft and vandalism are two of the most common crimes experienced by EV charging stations and can often go undetected due to the speed in which they can be carried out.
Therefore, to prevent and reduce this from happening, you will require a security method that takes a proactive and reactive response to threats, rather than a retrospective one.
Remote monitoring services offer many benefits, one of which includes being able to detect, assess and respond to threats based on their assessment.
Compared to more traditional security cameras that only record crime, our CCTV Towers utilise remote monitoring services. This use of human monitoring helps to identify whether movement logged is that of a threat or false alarm, helping to reduce the number of unnecessary triggers for you.
Additionally, the main benefit for EV charging station security is the support it provides with intercepting active crime, helping to capture criminals in the act and providing high-quality video evidence for future use.
Watch the video on how our CCTV Towers supported a customer in detecting and deterring crime:
Detects Any Overheating and Fires
With EV charging stations, there is a risk of overheating which can lead to fires due to the high amount of electricity it is powered by and is utilised to charge vehicles.
Other issues such as faulty equipment, overloaded circuits, poor installation and inadequate maintenance are all contributing factors that could cause or increase the risk of EV charging station fires.
Therefore, this type of risk should be monitored for safety of the equipment, any vehicles, individuals and the surrounding area.
Normally, a third-party supplier will be needed to support this alongside your security system, however, WCCTV offers a security solution with thermal monitoring capabilities.
Our Thermal Solar Powered CCTV Towers offer a fully-managed security solution that is used with all our CCTV Tower range, except in addition to this it provides fusion thermal colour imagery that can track and detect any signs of overheating.
This is more cost-effective than working with two suppliers and makes management easier as you only need to communicate with one supplier if required.
Relocatable to Other Sites
Unlike fixed CCTV systems that must stay at their installation location, all of our CCTV Towers can be relocated elsewhere by one of our engineers, or if you utilise our Smart Towers this can be completed by yourself.
This provides you with the freedom and control to adjust them as needed and target specific areas if you wish to do so.
Due to their complete power autonomy, they do not require a power source or internet connection, allowing them to provide 24/7 protection that other CCTV systems may not be able to provide as consistently.
Provides a Fully-Managed Security Service
Having a CCTV system in place is only beneficial if it is managed correctly, and we hold this at the centre of all of our products.
Poor management could lead to missed incidents which could have a disastrous impact on you and the functionality of your EV charging stations. In turn, this impacts drivers and can create long-lasting reputational damage with your charging points.
To take the burden off of you, our CCTV Towers offer a complete managed CCTV service that allows you to be as hands-free as you like. Providing expert support both throughout the installation process and during the use of our systems.
We understand that to ensure complete security for your EV charging stations, you require a full service that can pinpoint and prevent the unique threats associated with them, especially with issues of theft and vandalism.
Following EV charging station best practice and ensuring good security management could be what saves you from becoming the next victim to EV charging station crime.
The Solution for EV Charging Station Security: Rapid Deployment CCTV Towers
With cases such as the theft of 174 cables from Instavolt’s charging stations, the importance of EV charging station security is more vital than ever before.
Ensuring the right security solution could be the decision maker in whether you are the next victim of EV charging station-related crime.
Our CCTV Towers offer a flexible, yet high-quality security service that can manage threats and support you in maintaining the success of your EV stations. Get in touch with one of our security specialists today to find out more.
