Birmingham confirmed as energy theft hotspot as nationwide campaign launches
Stay Energy Safe aims to warn of dangers from tampering with supplies
Last updated 53 minutes ago
Birmingham has been identified as the energy theft hotspot of the UK, with recent figures showing more than 1,000 confirmed cases of stolen energy supplies.
According to industry data from gas and electricity suppliers, Birmingham leads the nation with 1,008 confirmed energy thefts.
In response to the rising issue, Stay Energy Safe, a programme run by the charity Crimestoppers, has launched a major campaign titled 'Unknown Danger.'
Annette Booysen, from Stay Energy Safe, said energy theft is happening for a range of reasons including people taking "desperate measures" to "stay afloat" in the cost-of-living crisis, and criminals looking to make a profit from the crime.
"We've even had reports about people stealing electricity to heat their hot tubs and their swimming pools," Booysen said.
"And you'd think if they can afford their hot tubs or their swimming pools, they can afford to pay their energy bill."
She emphasised the severe dangers of tampering with gas and electricity supplies:
"It can cause sparks. It can cause gas leaks and carbon monoxide leaks around the metre. It can cause electrocution, fires and explosions. And in the worst cases, it can be fatal."
Figures reveal a 23 per cent rise in energy theft across the UK over the last five years, largely involving domestic thefts.
This increase has been accompanied by a growing number of people reporting suspected theft incidents.
Booysen encourages the public to remain vigilant for signs such as sparking wires, suspicious activity, and the smell of gas or melted plastic near meters.
Stay Energy Safe offers an anonymous reporting system for suspected energy theft, allowing individuals to contact them without needing to prove that a crime has taken place.
Additionally, the campaign aims to educate the public on the dangers of energy theft and provide resources and support to avoid these illegal activities.
Further information and the tools to report suspected energy theft can be found on the Stay Energy Safe website.