So a friend asked 'Can someone just pull out your cable when you are charging in the street'?

When you get your electric car you apply for your 'charge your car' card which is a 'fob' really (it's a £20 once in a lifetime payment).  You present it to the electrical charge point, it verifies you and you are able to plug your cable in.  This locks both ends of the cable into the charge point and your car respectively os it can't be pulled out. The only way it can be removed is when a) you have represented your card to stop the charge and b) your vehicle is unlocked.