THREE electric car chargers have been vandalised in Oxford.

Oxford City Council has been made aware of damage to three of its electric vehicle chargers at the top of Southfield Road, Frenchay Road in north Oxford, and Sandfield Road in Headington.

ALSO READ: Six new electric vehicle chargers to be installed for Oxford's taxis

The chargers are currently out of action and the city council is now arranging repairs.

The damage was caused by someone trying to bypass the payment system and charge their vehicle for free.

All of the attempts were unsuccessful due to failsafe systems in the chargers.

For those who use these EV chargers, alternative nearby chargers are still available in Manzil Way or fast chargers in Stone Street and Juxon Street. A list of alternative chargers can also be found by visiting Zap Map.

Mish Tullar, Oxford City Council’s Head of Corporate Strategy said: “This kind of criminal damage not only results in inconvenience to electric vehicle users, it also means that the Council has to divert resources to repairing the units.

"The would-be thieves were thwarted however as our chargers all have systems in place to stop unpaid-for use.

ALSO READ: Rapid EV charging sites for shared use by taxis and public go live at Keble Road and Manzil Way

“The police have been informed about the incident. We’re asking anyone who saw the vandalism taking place, or sees damage being carried out to any of the Council’s EV charging points to contact the police or the City Council.”

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