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).
