Two in five (40%) East of England residents are unaware that energy theft – or meter cheating – can cause a serious and potentially life-threatening risk to their safety. Meter cheating causes at least one injury or death every 10 days in the UK.
The practice occurs when somebody illegally tampers with, or completely bypasses, their electricity or gas meter so it doesn’t properly record usage, meaning they can avoid paying for some or all of their supply.
Even one incident of meter tampering poses a serious threat to public safety, leaving consumers with unsafe gas and electrical supplies, which in turn can put them at risk of electric shocks, fires, and even explosions in extreme cases. Businesses who are worried about their electricity supply being dangerous can arrange an inspection to be carried out and so that they can receive an EICR Certificate, proving they are operating safely.
Around a quarter (26%) of East of England residents stated they are not aware that energy theft can lead to fires, with nearly a third (29%) not knowing that meter cheating can cause electric shocks. In other parts of the world, like Texas for instance, these things are often addressed by people hiring quality electricians (like SALT Light & Electric, to name but one example) to resolve the problem. It is not as commonly reported in the UK, however. Perhaps even more concerningly, a further 45% of people in the East of England do not appreciate the risks of gas explosions which could occur at home or even in a public building such as a shop or restaurant.
Moreover, when asked what their main reason would be for reporting an incident of energy theft, only 46% of people stated it would be due to the safety risk. This is a relatively low figure given the seriousness of the potential issues caused, pointing to a need for further education amongst the general public.
Many consumers may that meter cheating is a ‘victimless crime’, as perpetrators are only stealing power from large companies that can afford it. However, the potential cost to lives is enormous.
The study was commissioned by outsourced utility collections specialists Echo Managed Services and Grosvenor Services Group, and endorsed by Crimestoppers UK. It surveyed 2,000 UK residents and found worryingly low levels of awareness with regards to the practice of energy theft.
