• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
People are stealing more and more electricity as energy prices rise

Home> News

Published 17:22 5 Aug 2022 GMT+1

People are stealing more and more electricity as energy prices rise

Electricity thefts are at record highs in England and Wales

Niamh Spence

Niamh Spence

The cost of living crisis has had households everywhere bracing themselves and preparing for rising energy prices, so much so that stealing electricity has increased.

Figures now show that theft of electricity hit record highs in England and Wales last year.

New figures have shown electricity theft is the highest it's ever been in England and Wales.
Pixabay

Theft of electricity is classed as tampering with a line or bypassing a meter. It's a worrying trend as doing so can be highly dangerous and cause serious injuries, and the act comes with a potential prison sentence of five years for those caught.

Advert

The National Energy Action (NEA) campaign group has now spoken out and said it was 'horrifying' that more people could be turning to this illegal practice as the energy prices crisis continues.

The latest figures from the Home Office show police forces across England and Wales received 3,600 reports of 'dishonest use of electricity' in the year to March, which is up 13 percent on 2020-21. This is also the biggest hike since records began in 2012.

Of these thefts, 1,100 are thought to have occurred between January and March when the weather is typically colder and the temperature drops.

As the energy prices rise, many households could struggle to pay the rising costs.
Pexels

Across the two nations, 57 percent of electricity theft cases closed last year had no suspect identified, while 30% were abandoned due to evidential difficulties and 7 percent resulted in a charge or summons.

Advert

Whilst the rising energy prices might have all of feeling the pinch, authorities have urged that stealing electricity is not the answer.

Stay Energy Safe, ran by Crimestoppers, has warned that tampering with a meter can lead to wires overheating, damage to property and even a potential loss of life.

Additionally, an Ofgem spokesperson urged 'under no circumstances should consumers attempt to connect electricity meters themselves'.

Whilst some might find themselves in desperate situations, the NEA has warned that some households might consider turning to electricity theft as the weather turns colder this year.

Energy prices are expected to rise again in October.
Pixabay

Advert

Peter Smith, NEA director of policy and advocacy, said: "This is not only illegal but dangerous too, and it's horrifying if the crisis is forcing households to try this to keep the lights on.

"And this is happening now, before winter and the cold weather hits."

The NEA has previously said the predicted average annual energy bill from October could hit £2,800 - but this figure is now expected to reach £3,358.

A spokesperson for the government said: "We are committed to cracking down on crime, including the criminal theft of electricity, which causes serious injury to people and damage to property."

Featured Image Credit: Steve Skjold / Alamy Stock Photo Alexey Ivanov / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: UK News, Money

Niamh Spence
Niamh Spence

Journalist.

X

@missnspence

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • (KLAS)(KLAS)
    5 hours ago

    Horrifying mystery as piles of cremated human remains found in remote desert outside of Las Vegas

    The horrifying scene was discovered around 60 miles south of Las Vegas

    News
  • Bettmann/CORBISBettmann/CORBIS
    8 hours ago

    Sobering true story behind haunting image with four young children 'for sale'

    Those children really were sold off

    News
  • (Instagram/LeandrodeSouzbless)(Instagram/LeandrodeSouzbless)
    8 hours ago

    Man who had tattooed 95% of his body reveals what he looks like after having them removed

    Leandro de Souza previously held the title of Brazil's most tattooed man

    News
  • Getty Stock ImagesGetty Stock Images
    9 hours ago

    Science behind 'rubbing it better' and why it actually works

    The gate control theory of pain is an incredible coping mechanism for the human body

    News
  • Doctors explain fake Mounjaro jab warning as prices hiked amid Trump pressure
  • Fuming shoppers vow to boycott Tesco over meal deal price rise
  • HSBC compensation rights as banking app goes down and payments decline
  • Exact date millions of Brits will get pay rise and see more money going into their bank