Electricity theft is rising amid soaring costs - with typical energy bills predicted to hit £4,200 by January. Home Office figures show there were 3,587 crimes of dishonest use of electricity recorded in England and Wales last year. That is a 13% increase on 3,161 in 2020-21, and the highest number since available records began in 2002-03.
These are crimes of electricity theft - when an individual tampers with the electricity supply or meter, so the correct use is not recorded accurately. Energy regulator Ofcom says this offence increases costs for all customers and warns that “interfering with electricity meters or wires is also a serious risk to safety”.
About a third of offences last year (1,095) took place between January and March, when there is typically an increase in this sort of crime, probably due to the colder weather. That is a 9% increase on the same period the previous year, and almost double the number of crimes committed between January and March in 2019-20 (565) and 2018-19 (582).
But offences were also much higher during the spring and summer months - up by 19% from the previous year between April and June, and by 21% between July and September. It comes as Britain is gripped by a cost of living crisis with unprecedented rises in energy prices. Typical household bills are now predicted to hit £4,266 by January, according to a warning from the consultancy Cornwall Insight.
And in its latest report, Cornwall Insight has also raised its forecast for this autumn’s typical domestic energy bill, to £3,582, up from its previous prediction of £3,358. It could mean more people resort to energy theft as a way of heating their homes when the colder weather sets in.
Matt Copeland, head of policy and public affairs for National Energy Action, said: “The staggering increases in the cost of energy is leading to desperation. Some households are resorting to coping tactics such as using candles instead of lights and portable BBQs instead of their oven.
“Others are resorting to electricity theft, which is illegal as well as dangerous. The fact that electricity theft has increased even before we hit the colder months of the year shows how desperate this energy crisis is making people.
“With the new estimate from Cornwall Insight putting average household energy bills at £3,582 a year come October and £4,266 in January, things are only going to get worse unless the UK government steps in. More support is desperately needed to help the most vulnerable keep themselves warm and safe this winter.”
Anyone convicted of dishonest use of electricity could face a prison sentence of up to five years. But of completed investigations for crimes committed last year, only 6% concluded with someone being charged or summonsed to appear before a court.
In nine out 10 cases (91%) the offender got off scot-free - most commonly because a suspect was not identified (61%), but also because of problems with evidence, or because further investigation or prosecution was not deemed to be in the public interest.
Stay Energy Safe, a service operated by the charity Crimestoppers suggests more than £400m of energy is stolen each year across the UK. It estimates that this crime adds between £20 and £30 to “every honest customer’s bill”.
On its website, Stay Energy Safe warns: “Tampering with electricity meters to save money is extremely dangerous. The first signs can be shocks from switches and burns from appliances, but sudden fires and even explosions are possible too, putting you and your family in real danger. Meter cheating can take many forms, even smart meters can be unsafe if tampered with.”
Energy theft can be reported by calling the Stay Energy Safe hotline anonymously on 0800 023 2777.
