A neighbour with surprisingly low bills. A business that never seems to worry about energy costs. People might not think twice about any of these – but each could be a sign that someone is stealing electricity.
Stealing electricity is a dangerous criminal offence that puts lives at risk, and it’s more common across the UK than many people realise.
In a cost-of-living crisis, some people may try to justify electricity theft as a way to cut bills. However, meter tampering can cause dangerous electric shocks and fires.
Whether it’s happening in a rented property, a business, a neighbouring home or a cannabis farm, the consequences of stealing electricity can be devastating for everyone nearby.
This article explains what to look for, what the law says and how to report it.
What Is Stealing Electricity?
Stealing electricity involves tampering with an electric meter so that it doesn’t accurately record the amount of electricity being used or bypassing or removing it completely, so it doesn’t record any usage at all.
Under the Theft Act 1968, theft of electricity is a criminal offence in the UK. Anyone found guilty could face severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Some people commit this crime to avoid paying bills during financial hardship, others to help loved ones cope with high energy costs. Some people may engage in meter tampering simply out of greed, to avoid high energy bills for their home or business. Electricity theft is also used to power illegal activities such as cannabis farms. Rogue traders offer to ‘save money’ for people by altering the way your meter records energy usage, in exchange for a fee.
Whatever the reason, theft of electricity is a serious crime that threatens the lives of everyone nearby.
For more information about how electricity theft affects communities, visit Stay Energy Safe’s guide to energy theft.
You can learn more about the warning signs associated with cannabis grow houses here.
Can a Smart Meter Detect Electricity Theft?
Yes. In some cases, a smart meter can detect a bypass or signs of meter tampering.
Smart meters in the UK have tamper detection mechanisms built-in. This can make it much harder for criminals to steal electricity without being caught.
If there are irregularities in usage patterns, interrupted communication signals or tampering alerts, suppliers may investigate further.
Can smart meters be bypassed?
Smart meters can be bypassed or tampered with, although they include additional security and monitoring methods that can make suspicious activity easier to identify.
Over 1,000 smart meter tampering cases were reported in 2024. While smart meters are designed with encryption and security safeguards, no system is entirely foolproof.
What is certain is that people tampering with or bypassing electric meters are increasingly likely to get caught – and the consequences when they do are serious.
Reporting concerns anonymously to Stay Energy Safe could help prevent a dangerous situation from escalating.
For more advice on meter tampering and how to spot someone stealing electricity, visit Meter Tampering: Spotting and Preventing Energy Theft.
Penalties For Stealing Electricity in the UK
Is Stealing Electricity a Criminal Offence?
Yes. In UK law, theft of electricity falls under Section 13 of the Theft Act 1968.
Anyone who dishonestly uses, wastes or diverts electricity without authority may face serious consequences, depending on the severity of the crime.
You can read the legislation here: Theft Act 1968 – Section 13.
Under the Electricity Act 1989, taking an electricity supply without authorisation is an illegal act. The Act outlines specific offences and penalties for electricity supplies illegally taken, restoring a connection without consent, damaging electrical plant including meters, and interfering with meters.
What Is the Penalty for Stealing Electricity in the UK?
The penalty for stealing electricity in the UK includes fines and up to five years in prison.
When electricity theft is suspected, the individual will be contacted by an industry expert who will investigate. If the expert confirms that electricity is being stolen, they will have the authority to immediately turn off the power at the premises.
Regardless of any punishment for electricity theft or guilty outcome in UK courts, the supplier or network operator will also take steps to recover the cost of the stolen electricity from the individual responsible, or whoever has benefitted from using the stolen electricity.
They will also need to pay back the cost of the investigation and the cost of making the metering equipment safe again.
The Real Cost of Stealing Electricity
Stealing electricity affects everyone – from higher energy bills for the average household to dangerous fires in communities caused by exposed wires and loose connections.
Anyone who commits theft of electricity is putting those around them in danger. It puts people at risk of electric shocks from light switches, kettles, or other appliances, and when wires get too hot, they can cause sparks and electrical fires.
Someone stealing electricity also hits everyone in the pocket. Energy theft costs honest households up to an estimated £1.4 billion every year.
Electricity theft isn’t limited to abandoned buildings or organised crime groups. One Scottish man tried to save money on his home energy bills by bypassing his electricity meter. That meter caused an electrical fire that took his own mother’s life.
Theft of electricity cases have also involved landlords, businesses and employers attempting to cut costs through dangerous illegal connections and meter tampering:
The Carwash Owner That Got Caught
Shaip Nimani, a London carwash owner, bypassed the electricity meter to avoid paying his bills, and an innocent employee was fatally electrocuted in the shower.
The “free” electricity ended up costing Nimani £40,000 in fines and a four-year prison sentence for manslaughter.
The Landlord That Got Caught
A London landlord fitted 22 illegal meters into his properties to cut corners instead of paying to get legitimate supplies and meters fitted to the flats he redeveloped and rented out, this meant that the electricity his tenants used was stolen. He wanted a cheap and convenient way of installing meters but he was naïve to the grave danger he put them all in.”
He was caught when a meter was found on the verge of catching fire. The landlord was forced to pay back more than £90,000 worth of stolen electricity and serve a 9-month prison sentence.
For more information about energy theft and tips on how to prevent it, read our comprehensive guide.
You can also read real-life stories here.
Why “Free Electricity” Isn’t Worth the Risk
From May 2025 to May 2026, people searched for ways to bypass, hack or get free electricity more than 9,000 times online, equivalent to more than 25 searches every day.
There is no safe way to steal electricity.
People attempting to bypass electric meters or tamper with electrical supplies are gambling with lives, including their own. Theft of electricity can turn everyday appliances, switches and sockets into serious hazards.
What may look like “free electricity” can end in criminal charges, devastating fires or fatal accidents.
Many cases of electricity theft are discovered because someone notices something that doesn’t feel right and decides to report it.
Learn to spot the signs. If you think someone is stealing electricity, report it now.
How To Report Electricity Theft Anonymously
You might notice signs of meter tampering in a neighbouring property, suspicious wiring at a business, or unusual activity linked to an illegal cannabis farm. Even if you are not completely certain, knowing how to report electricity theft – and acting on it – could help prevent a dangerous situation from escalating.
If you want to report electricity theft anonymously, the Stay Energy Safe service makes that straightforward. It is completely independent, run by the charity Crimestoppers on behalf of the energy industry.
Reports can be made 100% anonymously, 24 hours a day.
Fill out the form here to report electricity theft or call 0800 023 2777.
Information from the public helps suppliers to recognise patterns of behaviour, allowing them to identify people who are stealing electricity and to make tampered meters and supplies safe again.
Even if you don’t know the exact details, you can still make a report. Provide the address where you suspect electricity theft is taking place and share as much information as you have.
Small pieces of information can help prevent serious harm and keep communities safer for everyone.
Read more about how we protect your details here.