A spokesman 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.”įor more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea. The Government said it is providing £37 billion to help households with the cost of living. Mr Smith added: “More support is desperately needed to close this gap and help the most vulnerable keep themselves warm and safe this winter.”Īcross the two nations, 57% of electricity theft cases closed last year had no suspect identified, while 30% were abandoned due to evidential difficulties and 7% resulted in a charge or summons. When former chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a cost-of-living support package in May, the NEA said the predicted average annual energy bill from October could hit £2,800 – but this figure is now expected to reach £3,358. And this is happening now, before winter and the cold weather hits.” 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.
But the NEA said the cost-of-living crisis is forcing people into “increasingly desperate situations” where they are looking to avoid energy use – including using candles instead of lights – or possibly resorting to electricity theft. Electric Fly Swatter Racket & Mosquito Zapper High Duty 4,000 Volt Electric Bug Zapper Racket Fly Killer USB Rechargeable Fly Zapper Indoor Safe 2 Pack Features : Featuring a 4,000-volt grid, our electric bug zapper is a modern take on the traditional fly swatter. It said the crime costs energy companies a minimum of £440 million each year – with these costs then passed on to customers.Īn Ofgem spokesperson said “under no circumstances should consumers attempt to connect electricity meters themselves”. Stay Energy Safe, operated by Crimestoppers, warned that tampering with a meter can lead to wires overheating, damage to property and potentially loss of life. Around 1,100 of these occurred between January and March – almost double the number recorded over the same period in 2018-20. Home Office figures show police forces across England and Wales received 3,600 reports of “dishonest use of electricity” in the year to March – up 13% on 2020-21, and the most since comparable records began in 2012-13. Though already an increasing problem, the National Energy Action (NEA) campaign group said it is “horrifying” that more people could be turning to the illegal practice to keep their lights on amid a growing energy crisis. Electricity theft – which can be carried out by tampering with a line or bypassing a meter – has the potential to cause serious injury and is punishable by up to five years in prison. People stole electricity on a record number of occasions across England and Wales last year, figures show.
0 kommentar(er)
