CORGI are pleased to announce their support of the Crimestoppers Stay Energy Safe Campaign.
This campaign aims to raise awareness of energy theft and keep people safe by educating them about the dangers it poses, the signs to spot energy theft, and encourage people to report it, 100% anonymously.
The below article, provided to us by Crimestoppers, provides an insightful look in to energy theft.
Ever spotted meter tampering?
Crimestoppers figures show that reports of energy theft have increased by nearly half (48%). since the start of the cost of living crisis. Motivations include billpayers hoping to cut the price of energy bills or, for some companies, it’s about not paying their fair share in order to boost profits.
The charity, which is independent of the police, runs the free Stay Energy Safe reporting service which takes over 900 energy theft tip-offs each month.
However, this is not the full extent of the problem. It’s estimated that a staggering 250,000 cases of energy theft go unreported every year, according to RECCo (Retail Energy Code Company).
It could be happening right now in your community, workplace, or wherever you spend your leisure time. Energy theft occurs not only in domestic or home settings but also in commercial environments and poses a danger to unsuspecting staff and customers at places including pubs, takeaways, restaurants, and beauty salons.
Energy theft costs consumers up to £1.4 billion annually, adding around £50 per year to every paying customer's bills (source: RECCo)
Meter tampering can cause serious injury or death
Workers on premises are often the first to spot wrongdoing. For instance, last year, a painter in a Nottinghamshire pub prevented a potential explosion after noticing smoke around the meter. The pub was at risk due to a bypassed electricity meter. Energy safety engineers discovered three bypasses which posed fire risks to the pub’s staff and customers and the tenants who lived above the premises. After inspection, the supply was disconnected, making the property safe again.
In another tragic example, meter tampering went unnoticed and led to the death of a business owner's employee. The owner tampered with the electricity meter to avoid paying bills, exposing employees and neighbours to dangerous conditions that resulted in a fatal electrocution. The owner was found guilty of manslaughter and fined £40,000.
These and other real life stories can be found here.
Energy theft is a serious and extremely dangerous crime. Those found guilty can be jailed for up to 5 years and fined £2,000. Penalties can be much higher depending on the scale of the theft and the resulting damage, or the risk to life and property posed by the theft.
Common signs of bypassed energy meter
Electricity
- Damaged, melted or scorched meter casing
- Extra wires around the meter
- Electricity working with no credit
- Meter dials or digits not moving
- Burning smell near the meter
Gas
- Meter fitted back to front
- Smell of gas
- Rubber tubing replacing pipes around the meter or replacing the meter entirely
- Gas working but no credit
- Meter dials or digits not moving
For more information of how to identify energy meter tampering check here.
Engineers are important in helping identify this danger
All concerns around meter tampering and energy theft can be passed on anonymously to Stay Energy Safe.
Stay Energy Safe offers a 24/7 reporting service. You can tell us what you know quickly using the online form on the website here or by calling 0800 023 2777. You will remain anonymous, they won’t ask who you are, they’ll just pass on what you know.
All you need to do is provide as much information as you can, including the address, type of property, name of the suspected tamperer, and indicate whether you suspect electricity or gas theft, or both.
Reporting can take just couple the minutes - but the impact can be life saving, preventing innocent people from coming to harm.
