Stories

Wed, 04 Mar 2026

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 'I fiddled the meter for a mate and the shop burnt down'

A BBC investigation speaks to electricians and families setting up illegal meter bypasses to steal power.
Some key points from the article include: 1. Energy theft costs the economy billions: According to Ofgem, energy theft in the UK costs around £1 billion per year. 2. Most cases go unpunished: In England and Wales, only 9% of reported energy theft cases result in someone being charged or summonsed, while almost half (47%) have an outcome of "investigation complete, no suspect identified". 3. Crime gangs are involved: Organized crime groups are using energy theft to power cannabis farms, often by digging up roads and connecting live cables. 4. High-risk connections pose a danger to firefighters: Fire chiefs in Lancashire warn that botched connections outside cannabis factories can lead to explosions and put firefighters at risk. 5. Desperate households take risks: With the cost of living crisis biting, some desperate households are taking similar risks by attempting to bypass their meters themselves. The article also highlights the work of electrician Tony, who has spoken out about the dangers of energy theft and the need for people to be aware of the risks involved. Overall, the article suggests that energy theft is a growing problem in the UK, driven by economic hardship and exploited by organized crime gangs. It also raises concerns about the safety risks posed by botched connections and the lack of effective punishment for those who engage in energy theft. Would you like me to summarize any specific points from the article?