Wind farms across the UK are being urged to heighten security measures following a dramatic rise in copper cable theft. DeterTech crime analysts, who monitor metal theft on behalf of critical infrastructure companies and the police, have already logged 27 reported incidents in 2025, compared to a typical historical annual figure of just four to five. This year’s losses through theft of copper and associated downtime for turbines has now surpassed £2 million.
DeterTech first sounded the alarm on the escalated threat to UK wind farms in May. At that time attacks were primarily concentrated in the East of England. Following a brief hiatus, offending has now stepped up another gear and spread nationwide.
Attacks in June and July have been recorded across England, Scotland and Wales, taking place as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Cornwall. Any UK location should now be considered vulnerable given previous areas of offending are no longer an accurate indicator of future targets.
It is recommended wind farm operators urgently review their site security infrastructure, and turbines, for any signs of tampering or theft. All incidents, including suspicious vehicles attempting entry to sites, should be reported to the police. This could provide vital intelligence and helps to establish a true picture of offending across the UK.
Richard Crisp, Intelligence Analyst, DeterTech, says: “This linked series of offending against onshore wind turbines is unprecedented and leads us to conclude that, right now, no site is safe. With copper continuing to trade at over $9,500 USD, this is the time to revisit site security plans and make any necessary adjustments.”
Threatscape & Recommendations:
- Copper Cabling the target: Thieves are exclusively targeting copper. In cases where aluminium was discovered after cables were cut, the material was left in situ, underscoring copper’s high value. Displaying appropriate signage may help prevent unnecessary cuts to aluminium cabling.
- Overnight Risk: Most attacks are carried out under cover of darkness, suggesting careful planning and execution. The offenders do not seem perturbed that turbines are active when entering, suggesting familiarity with the infrastructure.
Organised Crime Involvement: The scale, precision, and repeatability of the attacks point to professional gangs with detailed knowledge of infrastructure vulnerabilities. Theft on this scale relies on established disposal routes.
For more information on organised crime trends and proven strategies for crime deterrence and prevention, please visit www.detertech.com
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