Warning over energy theft as city tops national list

People tampering with electricity and gas meters are "putting lives at risk", according to Crimestoppers.

The charity has launched its Unknown Danger campaign to highlight the dangers of energy theft and encourage people to report it in the West Midlands.

According to data obtained by Crimestoppers, the Birmingham postcode recorded 1,008 confirmed gas and electricity thefts in 2025-26, the highest total in the UK.

"The risk is ill-perceived," said Phil McCartney, head of safety at Cadent Gas.

"They're not aware of the real-life dangers of stealing gas or electric and what it could lead to."

Energy theft involves illegally tampering with equipment, bypassing meters or connecting directly to gas or electricity supplies.

While some people may see it as a way to reduce their energy bills, it can lead to serious consequences including explosions and electrocution.

It is also a criminal offence and can result in hefty fines or prison sentences.

McCartney said one of the most common methods involved removing one meter and replacing it with another.

"We've also seen people using hose-pipes to bridge between one side of the inlet to the outlet," he said.

"It brings real, real risks because it's unsuitable materials."

According to data supplied by Crimestoppers, gas and electricity theft has risen by 23% over the past five years.

The charity said 82% of confirmed thefts were for domestic purposes.

The Birmingham postcode recorded 1,008 confirmed cases in 2025-26, more than three times as many as Coventry.

In Shropshire, there were 72 confirmed cases during the same period, while Herefordshire recorded 15.

Stay Energy Safe says signs of a tampered gas meter can include:

• A meter connected in reverse
• A meter working despite no credit left
• A missing or swapped meter
• Extra rubber tubing or metal pipes around the meter
• A missing or static display
• The smell of gas near the meter box

Warning signs for electricity meters include:

• A meter reading that does not increase when electricity is used
• A meter working despite no credit left
• Burning smells, smoke or sparks
• Unusual cables or wiring
• Damage, melting or burn marks
• A missing or swapped meter

According to McCartney, "nine times out of ten" a tampered meter "just looks out of place".

"The bit I'd call out is that if it doesn't look right, it usually isn't," he added.

Energy theft is "a really big problem", according to Crimestoppers director Kate Johnston.

She said there was a perception that it was a "victimless" crime, but warned there was "a safety risk to everybody around the property".

"This is happening all over Great Britain," she said.

"The data tells us that more and more people are tampering with their meters."

Neither Crimestoppers nor Stay Energy Safe advises people to investigate suspected theft themselves.

Instead, Johnston said the message was "not to intervene or investigate anything, but to report it to us in complete anonymity".

Crimestoppers estimates around a quarter of a million cases of energy theft go unreported each year.

The charity is urging people to report suspected energy theft online or by calling 0800 023 2777.

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