Electricity Theft: Ofgem Urges Crackdown

The energy regulator could force electricity suppliers to tackle power theft because of the growing cost to households.

Ofgem estimates that 25,000 cases of electricity theft annually cost law-abiding consumers £200m - or £7 per household - with a third of the loss blamed on cannabis farms.

The watchdog said its proposals would require energy suppliers to bring in measures to detect, investigate and prevent cases of theft - with fines for those companies which fail to comply.

A code of practice would be compiled, Ofgem said, through companies sharing information on investigations between themselves and agencies including the police, while a 24 hour public hotline is also planned to help identify offenders.

Andrew Wright, Ofgem's chief executive, said: "Ofgem wants to make sure that consumers are paying no more than they need to for their electricity, and lives are not put at risk.

"It's critical that suppliers do all they can to clamp down on electricity theft.

"The reforms build on similar obligations we introduced at the start of this year for suppliers to address gas theft more vigorously."

Energy UK, the trade association of the energy industry which represents more than 80 companies, welcomed the proposals.

A spokesman said: "Electricity theft is dangerous and illegal. Contact with live electricity cables can kill and tampered meters cause fires.

"Electricity theft also costs honest customers money which is why energy companies take this - and gas theft - very seriously."

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