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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/jul/03/ofgem-action-electricity-theft
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| Ofgem calls for action on electricity theft | Ofgem calls for action on electricity theft |
| (3 months later) | |
| Stealing electricity to power cannabis farms is costing consumers millions of pounds a year, and the industry must do more to investigate, according to the regulator Ofgem. | Stealing electricity to power cannabis farms is costing consumers millions of pounds a year, and the industry must do more to investigate, according to the regulator Ofgem. |
| Overall, there are around 25,000 cases of electricity theft each year, costing customers £200m, or the equivalent of £7 each a year. Up to a third of the electricity stolen goes to heat premises used to grow cannabis, Ofgem said. The regulator is proposing new rules to reduce the instances of theft, with fines for suppliers who do not comply. | Overall, there are around 25,000 cases of electricity theft each year, costing customers £200m, or the equivalent of £7 each a year. Up to a third of the electricity stolen goes to heat premises used to grow cannabis, Ofgem said. The regulator is proposing new rules to reduce the instances of theft, with fines for suppliers who do not comply. |
| Under the proposals, suppliers would have to set up a national theft risk assessment service to help them target premises where there are strong suspicions that electricity is being stolen. | Under the proposals, suppliers would have to set up a national theft risk assessment service to help them target premises where there are strong suspicions that electricity is being stolen. |
| Suppliers and network companies would also be required to create an industry code of practice governing how theft investigations should be carried out, to ensure a consistent approach across the industry. | Suppliers and network companies would also be required to create an industry code of practice governing how theft investigations should be carried out, to ensure a consistent approach across the industry. |
| They would have to share "best practice" methods and knowledge about how cases of theft are identified, and liaise with agencies such as the police and Home Office over how to tackle electricity theft relating to cannabis farms, Ofgem suggested. | They would have to share "best practice" methods and knowledge about how cases of theft are identified, and liaise with agencies such as the police and Home Office over how to tackle electricity theft relating to cannabis farms, Ofgem suggested. |
| Andrew Wright, chief executive of Ofgem, said: "We want to make sure consumers are paying no more than they need to for their electricity, and lives are not put at risk. | Andrew Wright, chief executive of Ofgem, said: "We want to make sure consumers are paying no more than they need to for their electricity, and lives are not put at risk. |
| "It is critical that suppliers do all they can to clamp down on theft. This is why Ofgem is introducing new rules to encourage better detection." | "It is critical that suppliers do all they can to clamp down on theft. This is why Ofgem is introducing new rules to encourage better detection." |
| Energy UK, the trade association of the energy industry which represents more than 80 companies, said the proposals were welcome. | Energy UK, the trade association of the energy industry which represents more than 80 companies, said the proposals were welcome. |
| A spokesman said: "Electricity theft is dangerous and illegal. Contact with live electricity cables can kill, and tampered meters cause fires. Theft also costs honest customers money, which is why energy companies take this – and gas theft – very seriously. | A spokesman said: "Electricity theft is dangerous and illegal. Contact with live electricity cables can kill, and tampered meters cause fires. Theft also costs honest customers money, which is why energy companies take this – and gas theft – very seriously. |
| "Every year our members detect and prosecute criminals. When energy companies find electricity thieves, they will prosecute." | "Every year our members detect and prosecute criminals. When energy companies find electricity thieves, they will prosecute." |
| Rising numbers of consumers are finding they are subject to thieves who tamper with their gas and electricity meters to redirect some of their supply. | Rising numbers of consumers are finding they are subject to thieves who tamper with their gas and electricity meters to redirect some of their supply. |
| One 70-year-old British Gas customer received a bill for more than £1,200 for four months electricity supply. After an investigation, it was clear the meter had been tampered with before she moved in, and the bill was wiped. | One 70-year-old British Gas customer received a bill for more than £1,200 for four months electricity supply. After an investigation, it was clear the meter had been tampered with before she moved in, and the bill was wiped. |
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