The United Kingdom is currently in crisis mode as energy theft climbs steadily, forcing law-abiding ratepayers to pay the price with increased bills. Recent tragedies, like the story of Darren Greenham, remind us how deadly the impact of this crime can be. Greenham cut a gas pipe on his Lancashire property to sell the pipework. He by-passed his own gas meter to steal gas. His criminal incompetence caused the explosion that killed a small child and got him sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter.
According to British Gas, energy theft is pulling down the UK’s economy by as much £1.5 billion annually. This loss is equivalent to adding about £50 to each household’s energy bill. At a time when millions of our fellow Americans can’t afford to pay the energy bills they already have, the effects are catastrophic. Our friends at the United Kingdom Revenue Protection Association (UKRPA) and Electricity North West are champions and warriors working day and night to combat this. In their desperation, millions more resort to illegal practices.
The Impact of Energy Theft
Energy theft takes many forms, from tampering with meters to elaborate setups for illegal cannabis cultivation. In 2021, police in West Midlands found a house they believed sheltered an illegal marijuana farm. This investigation was spurred by drones which had detected strange heat patterns. This ultimately drove them to uncover more than 1,600 cannabis plants in a vacant hotel in Blackpool in 2023.
In the field, engineers frequently come across instances where meters have been bypassed in groups. In Greater Manchester, police and engineers found elaborate systems for growing cannabis. These operations were all fuelled by stolen electricity. This piracy robs real consumers of valuable resources that they could have spent on MVPD subscription services. It creates grave risks, since hacked meters can trigger catastrophic fires or explosions.
“The cost of unidentified theft is borne by all. As energy theft increases, so will each and every honest billpayer’s costs,” – Gavin Straughan, Vice-Chair of the UK Revenue Protection Association.
These impacts go beyond the fiscal cost. They represent a physical danger. Our engineers who respond to tampered meters now have to wear specialized fire-retardant clothing because of the extremely dangerous situations they find themselves in. One civil engineer described the distressed living environment in houses where occupants had bypassed their meters wiring their homes with things like coat hangers. These hazardous electrical configurations are a literal time bomb, set to explode at any moment.
The Personal Toll of Energy Theft
Since there’s no energy theft, Darren Greenham’s story stands as a heart-wrenching reminder of what could happen when energy theft goes unchecked. Greenham’s attempts to save money by stealing gas ultimately led to loss of life and his own lengthy prison sentence. As David Garner, an industry source, pointed out:
“It was copper worth pennies, maybe a few pounds. And for that, a boy’s life.”
The desperation that leads someone to make these moves is rooted in many cases by the increase in energy burden and overall cost of living. Peter Smith, a spokesperson for the industry, drew attention to a disturbing trend. Millions of adults today are suddenly having to conserve their energy as prices have spiked.
“Nearly half of adults in Great Britain expect to ration their energy in the coming months,” – Peter Smith.
Smith emphasized the importance of seeking help rather than resorting to illegal actions:
“Sadly, some people are resorting to electricity theft, which is not only illegal but also very dangerous. Anyone who is struggling to pay for their energy should speak to their supplier as soon as possible.”
Gavin Straughan cautioned against financial exploitation during these tough times:
“There are also individuals gaining a financial benefit from exploiting the desperation that people are facing due to the energy crisis by providing misinformation and offering them scams but portraying them as a solution.”
The Role of Authorities and Industry Response
Electricity North West has set up specialist teams to combat energy thefts across the UK. As a starter, their investigations usually only start when they see a pattern of activity like fuses blowing at neighborhood substations during strange times. These proactive measures are part of an ongoing effort to prevent future incidents and safeguard consumers from harmful risks related to energy theft.
The UKRPA has been working hand in hand with utility companies to better share intelligence and proactively coordinate efforts to combat this developing menace. Straughan emphasized that no matter the reasons behind energy theft, it remains a criminal act:
“No matter what the reason behind energy theft is, it is a criminal act.”
As they grapple with this growing concern, law enforcement officials are more committed than ever to not only recoup losses, but protect the safety of the public. An industry source expressed their commitment:
“This may sound trite but I don’t particularly care about recovering the money; I care about saving lives.”
One engineer shared their experience dealing with dangerous situations created by tampered meters:
“We’re seeing increasingly dangerous situations…anything in the house could be live with electricity.”