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Campaign against meter tampering

by Mark Rowe

Crimestoppers has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of meter tampering and energy theft. The crime reporting line is appealing to local and online communities for information on those doing these crimes.

The appeal is focusing on Newcastle and Gateshead and looks to help bring down the £400m cost of energy theft in the UK, and educate the public on the dangers. In 2012/13 it was estimated that the UK saw 25,000 incidents of electricity theft and over 3200 incidents of gas theft. Crimestoppers takes an average of 67 pieces of information on these crimes per month.

A targeted online campaign using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube is being run to fill a ‘black hole’ of under reporting in the Newcastle and Gateshead area, with one energy provider revealing there to have been 259 incidents in the area alone in 2014. An educational video highlighting the signs to spot has been placed on YouTube to act as a tool for those who wish to check their meter has not been interfered with. A second video has also been produced for those seeking out methods to tamper to act as a deterrent by highlighting the consequences to the tamperer and innocent people nearby.

Whether a meter’s a standard one, pre-payment or dial – the consequences of a tampered meter are the same. In various parts of the country, gas explosions and fires damaged homes and injured residents. One incident saw four people, including two children, injured in a suspected gas explosion in Sheffield, which also left a home destroyed and adjoining properties badly damaged.

While the cause of the fire could not be confirmed due to the fire damage, a check of 20 properties on the same street found five houses stealing gas, and two of them stealing electricity. Meter tampering as a form of energy theft does not only occur domestically, but incidents have also been reported of businesses looking to cut costs by breaking the law.

In September 2013, five restaurants along Manchester’s notorious ‘curry mile’ were raided, with four of them found to have tampered meters, and another with an altered gas supply. Officials at the time said that lives had been put at risk.

Dave Hunter, North East Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said: “While some will see energy theft as a victimless crime, I can categorically state this is not the case. Tampered meters have seen lives endangered and people hospitalised, and for what? A small saving on an energy bill – is it really worth it? This is why we are reaching out to the online community to tell us who is committing this crime, safe in the knowledge you will remain completely anonymous. I would urge you to watch our video, learn the signs to spot, and then share it with your friends and family. The more people who know about this crime, the more chance we have of eliminating it and saving lives.”

And Tony Thornton, chairman of the trade body the UK Revenue Protection Association (UKRPA), said: “Energy theft is a serious and dangerous issue with significant impacts on local communities. Tampering with a gas or electricity meter can lead to fire, explosion, electrocution and death. The dangers of meter tampering are not confined to the individual – fire can spread, explosions can destroy neighbouring homes and attending emergency services are put at serious risk. The UK Revenue Protection Association and its members are committed to detecting and preventing meter tampering and its associated dangers, through the sharing of best practice, education and awareness.”

If you have any information on those doing energy theft and tampering with meters ring Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111 or report though the Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

To find out more about the campaign – visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org/energy-theft.

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