The United Kingdom has reported a record increase in electricity theft cases in England and Wales in a year after a sharp increase in the cost of electricity and gas bills.
The UK Police forces have received 3,600 reports of “dishonest use of electricity” in the 12 months (March 2021 to March 2022), a 13 percent increase over the previous year and the highest level since records began in 2013.
The trend of power theft in UK increased when a protest website urged people not to pay their electricity bills from October.
The average annual UK gas and electricity bill surged from £1,400 in October 2021 to £2,000, when the government ended a price cap.
Another hefty rise is expected in October 2022 and originally it was estimated that average energy bills could reach £2,800 in the autumn but the latest forecast is £3,358.
In July 2022, former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who is battling Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to become the new leader of the Conservative Party, promised to scrap VAT on domestic fuel bills next year if he becomes prime minister.
He said: “With the price cap expected to rise above £3,000 in October, I will move immediately to scrap VAT on everyone’s domestic energy bills for the next year, saving the average household £160.”
Truss, nonetheless, did not spell out any measures on the cost of living crisis but said this week: “As Prime Minister, I’d use an emergency Budget to kickstart my plan to get our economy growing and offer immediate help to people struggling with their bills.”
Almost a third—1,100—of the thefts occurred between January and March, double the number recorded over the previous two winters. In UK, electricity theft is carried out by tampering with the supply or bypassing a meter, and it is extremely hazardous.
The maximum punishment in law is five years in prison but in 57% cases no suspect was identified and only 7% resulted in someone being charged or summonsed.
A spokesman for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets said: “Under no circumstances should consumers attempt to connect electricity meters themselves.”
