People stole electricity on a record number of occasions across England and Wales last year, figures show.
Home Office figures show police forces in England and Wales received 3,600 reports of “dishonest use of electricity” in the year to March – up 13% on 2020-21, and the most since comparable records began in 2012-13. Around 1,100 of these occurred between January and March – almost double the number recorded over the same period in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Electricity can be stolen by tampering with a line or bypassing a meter, and is punishable by up to five years in prison. Stay Energy Safe, operated by Crimestoppers, warned tampering with a meter can lead to damage to property and potentially loss of life.
