Domestic energy theft on the rise

November is when winter really arrived. Dark mornings, dark nights, a touch of frost, even a layer of snow. It is also the month many of us will have fired up the central heating for the first time this season.

The last few years have seen energy costs rise and we have become more aware of the price cap, watching as it rises and falls. Our vigilance is, in part, down to the issue of smart energy meters.

Millions of smart energy meters in existence

According to Smart Energy GB, there are now almost 35 million smart meters in Great Britain. We can watch the dial flick from green to red, see what appliances are heavy energy users and keep track of what we’re spending.

This figure is a little misleading, however. There are almost 30 million residential dwellings in the UK. That means even if every home has a smart meter, there are around 5 million unnecessary devices just kicking about, perhaps shoved in a drawer or consigned to the bin.

In fact, an article published by Uswitch found the take up of smart meters reached just 60% in 2023, suggesting millions of households have resisted the temptation to track the energy they use in a digital, real-time capacity.

Malfunctioning meters a big issue

And what about the households that do have a smart energy meter? Shockingly, Smart Energy GB also found almost 4 million meters are not working properly. The false readings are a worry at a time when the cost of energy is still historically high, with the energy price cap rising again in January 2025.

Malfunctioning smart energy meters are a concern when you consider another energy statistic. Earlier this year, energy experts Bionic reported an almost 50% increase in energy theft reports made to Crimestoppers, with more than £1.4bn of energy stolen each year across the UK. A meter that doesn’t work properly will make it harder to spot energy theft.

Energy crisis fuelling thefts

While energy theft has been previously linked to criminals tapping into a next door neighbour’s electricity supply to power heat lamps in illegal cannabis farms, the issue is more widespread thanks to fuel poverty. Individuals are now just as likely to steal energy to reduce their fuel bills and this applies to tenants too, so landlords should educate renters on the matter of energy theft.

Energy theft occurs when a third party tampers with a traditional box meter (commonly located on the outside of a property) or bypasses it altogether to syphon off gas and electricity for their own use.

Spot and stop energy theft

It’s a desperate and dangerous act that can result in gas leaks, electrocution and house fires. In fact, Stay Energy Safe says energy theft kills or badly injures 280 people every year. Here are some top tips for deterring and spotting energy theft at your property.

• Ensure all outside meter boxes are secure, preferably with a lock
• Regularly check meter boxes for signs of damage, tampering or forced entry
• Keep track of your energy use by comparing weekly and monthly spending
• Report any unexplained, heavy energy consumption
• Report unusual/unscheduled energy events, such as flickering lights and power outages
• Report any signs of scorching, smoke or sparks on or around external meters
• Report any burning or gas smells immediately

If you suspect energy theft at your property, start logging your meter readings (whether that’s an external box meter or a smart digital one) and contact your energy supplier and log the theft with Stay Energy Safe,a reporting service run by Crimestoppers.