New Crimestoppers figures show that reports of energy theft have increased by nearly half (48%) since the start of the cost-of-living crisis, with the independent charity warning that a large number of these cases are related to hospitality and catering businesses.
Motivations for energy theft include businesses hoping to cut the price of energy bills or, for some companies, it is about not paying for what they have used in order to boost profits.
Crimestoppers is informing businesses that there is a safe way to address this issue, with suspicions able to be reported anonymously through the Stay Energy Safe reporting service.
Energy theft, which includes bypassing gas or electricity meters, poses an unjust threat to law-abiding businesses.
For example, in recent years, a Nottinghamshire pub was spared from catching fire. A painter working in the building noticed smoke around the meter, energy safety engineers responded and made the supply safe, without which it could have led to a deadly explosion or fire.
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.
