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Energy Theft
What is Energy Theft?
Energy Theft is when a person intentionally, damages, diverts, or dishonestly uses energy without due authority.
What are the dangers of tampering with energy supplies?
Energy Theft is incredibly dangerous, it puts not only yourself at risk but your family, your home, and your neighbours. Meter tampering can cause electrocution, electrical fires, and explosions.
Is Energy Theft illegal?
Yes, Energy Theft is a crime. There are many laws that relate to the theft of energy and it can result in fines of £2,000 or up to 5 years imprisonment for those found guilty.
How can I report Energy Theft?
If you suspect that your own supply or anyone else’s supply may have been tampered with, you should contact your energy supplier as soon as possible to report it.
If you are concerned about reporting it and would prefer to remain anonymous, you may prefer to contact Crimestoppers or UKRPA where you can report it online or speak to them in strict confidentiality.
The Theft Charter
The Theft Charter is published within the Retail Energy Code and can be read in full here.
Energy suppliers are legally obligated to actively investigate the theft of energy. Utilita recognises the importance of identifying where customers may be facing challenging circumstances whilst undertaking their investigations however energy theft is dangerous and a criminal activity
Background
Utilita recognises that some customers face challenging circumstances which require an appropriate level of support. Customers must themselves understand that anybody tampering with the meter or the energy supply is committing a criminal offence. They also put their home and their family at risk, as well as those of their neighbours.
The Theft Charter is a cross-industry commitment to ensure a consistent approach is taken whilst undertaking energy theft investigations. Where a customer is found to be vulnerable, the appropriate actions will be taken to ensure the welfare of the individual(s) is recognised whilst continuing to investigate a potential criminal offence.
Supplier obligations
Energy suppliers are legally obligated to undertake a number of measures to proactively identify and investigate meter tampering. Where it is found that meter tampering has occurred an energy supplier is obligated to make the site safe which may involve disconnecting supply. Energy suppliers are also entitled to recover the associated costs and, depending on the severity of the tampering found, possibly take court action.
Utilita will seek to identify who has committed the meter tamper and determine the appropriate level of enforcement. Depending on the extent and severity of the offence, they may also consider action in the criminal courts.
Reasonable supplier actions
In checking for meter tampering, energy suppliers can undertake the following reasonable actions:
- Gain access to premises to inspect the metering equipment; a visual check is essential to confirm tampering activity and assess whether the premises and equipment are safe.
- If access is refused, a supplier can apply to the courts for a warrant of entry, which gives the legal right to gain access to a premise, by force if necessary.
- Recover all costs associated with the tampering investigation, replacing, or repairing a tampered meter and the value of energy assessed to have been stolen.
- Install alternative metering equipment e.g. a pre-payment meter.
- Monitor ongoing energy consumption and maintain appropriate records to help determine whether there are any further attempts to use energy illegally.
- Disconnect the supply where co-operation is not achieved and/or premises upon inspection are found to be unsafe. The Supplier may be required to request the Network Operator to do this.
- Undertake action in the civil courts to recover all of their costs and the value of stolen and unbilled energy where a customer decides not to pay.
- Pursue action in the criminal courts either via private prosecution or via the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in Scotland.
Charter principles
By supporting the Charter energy suppliers agree to ensure the following activities:
- Integration of the Charter with wider cross-organisation policies and procedures including dealing with customer vulnerability.
- That an appropriate programme of vulnerability awareness training is undertaken with all relevant staff.
- Matters are clearly explained to customers (where present) whilst the meter tampering investigation is ongoing.
- Provision of a clearly written summary of the findings and next steps.
- Awareness of the Charter and compliance with its principles by all organisations that may visit a premise during a meter tampering investigation.
- Clearly record on-site observations including any cases of suspected customer vulnerability. Discuss spreading payments over a longer period of time or installing alternative metering equipment to recover the costs in manageable amounts in instances where meter tampering is confirmed.
- Confirm if an alternative named contact (eg. carer) needs to be made aware of investigation and possible next steps where a vulnerable customer is identified.
Implementation measures
Implementation and oversight of the Charter is based on the following measures:
- Obligation – on individual suppliers to promote the Charter on their websites as part of a wider Vulnerable Customer Policy.
- Continuous improvement – regular review of the Charter to ensure it remains fit for purpose.
- Code of Practice - is supported by an industry Code of Practice which reflects the principles set out in the Charter.
- Annual independent checks - to ensure suppliers are continuing to follow the Charter’s principles.
- Engagement – industry will continue to work with Ofgem, Energy UK, Citizens Advice, charities and other relevant bodies and organisations to offer vulnerable customers the most suitable solutions