Electricity theft is at an all-time high – you can report it anonymously via Stay Energy Safe

The BBC reports that electricity theft has reached “record levels in England and Wales”. Three major factors identified were cannabis farms, cryptocurrency mines and the cost-of-living crisis.

Electricity theft is an incredibly dangerous crime that often goes unnoticed. Sadly, it’s not a victimless crime. It risks electrocution, severe burns, and fires that can lead to damaged property, injury and even in some cases, death. Financially, it costs consumers up to £1.4 billion each year and adds around £50 a year to every paying customer’s bills (Source: Retail Energy Code Company).

As we said in our statement to the BBC, Stay Energy Safe has seen a year-on-year increase in people making contact since 2016.

However, it’s impossible to determine if the increase has been fully or partly due to the current economic climate. This is because it's those with suspicions and not the perpetrators who contact us - so we are unaware of the real motivations behind the rise in this type of crime.

Regardless of the motivations, it's important to be able to spot the signs and dangers of electricity theft and to know how to report it.

Stay Energy Safe, powered by Crimestoppers, provides a safe and anonymous way for people to report energy theft and meter tampering.

Have information about energy theft? 

Speak up to Stay Energy Safe, 100% anonymously, by calling 0800 023 2777 or by filling in their anonymous online form here.