Energy theft can have disastrous effects on human lives. And often the energy thieves are not the victims. Energy theft is extremely dangerous and can cause electrocutions, house fires and gas explosions which puts people and communities in grave danger. Read more about the dangers of energy theft.
Below you can find some real-life stories of how energy theft has impacted people both in domestic and commercial properties.
Electricity Fraud Sparks Fire Risk in Nottinghamshire Pub
Smoke around the meter is one of the key signs to spot energy theft. And in this case, it saved a Nottinghamshire pub from catching fire that might have led to a deadly explosion. Painters doing works in the building spotted the smoke around the meter and subsequently called the National Grid. Energy safety engineers attending the site, found 3 bypasses in total and disconnected the electricity supply making the property safe later the same day.
The bypassed meters did not only put the pub itself, the owners and people working there in danger, but also the tenants living above the pub who would have been victims of a crime they did not even know about or commit. Read the full story here.
Employee Electrocuted in the Shower Due to a Tampered Meter
A business owner in London was responsible for his employee’s death having tampered with the electricity meter at his place of work. In order to avoid paying the electricity bills, the owner of the car wash bypassed the electricity meter exposing his employees to dangerous working conditions. He was also putting customers and people in neighbouring properties in danger as electricity theft can cause catastrophic fires.
The victim was tragically electrocuted while taking a shower and died as a result of the electrocution. Electricity theft can make surfaces “live” to the touch and therefore cause severe burns and injuries due to electrocutions. Unfortunately, the victim did not survive his injury.
The owner was found guilty of manslaughter and was fined £40,000. Read more on this story here.
Death by Electrocution in Pub Garden Leads to Jail for Landlord
Tragically, an innocent 8-year-old boy was also a victim of energy theft. Harvey Tyrrell was playing in a pub garden when he came into contact with one of the poorly installed outdoor lights. That’s when he suffered an electric shock that led to his tragic death.
Soon after his death, an investigation uncovered a number of electricity tampers at the pub, with 12 defects that posed a risk of injury including electric shock, and 32 potentially dangerous defects, with one expert describing it as “the most dangerous thing he’s ever seen in 40 years”. The pub’s owner was sentenced to 9 years in prison. Read the full story here.
Meter on the Verge of Catching Fire After Landlord Offers "Free Electricity"
A London landlord was sentenced to 9 months in prison and ordered to repay £90,000 to cover the value of electricity stolen after tampering with energy meters in his rented properties in London. The landlord was offering free electricity to his tenants putting them in grave danger. The landlord owned 22 properties in London that were fitted with illegal meters, one of which was on the verge of catching fire, putting his tenants and people in neighbouring properties at serious risk.
Stay Energy Safe advises people in rented accommodation to make sure they have access to their meter and to check that it is correctly fitted. If they have any suspicions, their energy supplier can help them check it. Read more here.
Electrical Fire Caused by a Bypassed Electricity Meter
Bypassing an electricity meter can have devastating consequences and put lives in danger. It can cause electric shocks, severe burns and electrical fires. A son living with his elderly mother caused her tragic death after bypassing their electricity meter. Due to financial pressures, the son arranged for the meter to be bypassed so he could save some money on electricity bills. This led to electric sparks coming out of appliances that caused a fire, and consequently his mother’s death due to smoke inhalation. Read the full story here.
The Devastating Effects of Gas Theft
Explosions from gas theft usually destroy the property and meters significantly so it is very rare to prove that the explosion was indeed caused by meter tampering. Here you can find some examples of how meter tampering often results in gas explosions.
Reporting Energy Theft
Stay Energy Safe is an anonymous and independent service operated by the charity Crimestoppers, so you can be confident that none of your details will be captured, and your identity can remain anonymous.
If you suspect energy theft you can report it 100% anonymously, 24/7, 365 days a year on 0800 023 2777 or by filling out the online form.
Energy Theft. Speak Up. Stay Safe