Energy theft rising as cost of electricity soars

A growing number of bill payers have been stealing energy as rising fuel costs hit finances, new figures have revealed.

Electricity thefts confirmed by energy suppliers have risen from 17,422 incidents in 2021-2022 to 21,354 in 2025-2026, data obtained by Stay Safe Energy shows.

This 22 per cent increase comes as energy costs remain persistently high following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when Ofgem’s price cap reached a record £4,279. The government’s energy price guarantee policy, in place from 2022 to 2023, capped this at £2,500.

From an average of around £1,331 in 2021 before this crisis, Ofgem’s price cap has reached an average of £1,664 this year.

The most concentrated increase in energy theft has come from commercial electricity customers, marking a stark 276 per cent increase, from 996 cases in 2021-2022 to 3,747 in 2025-2026.

London was the top hotspot for incidents, with more than 2,000 reported in the last financial year. These were most concentrated in north London, at 643 confirmed thefts.

Next in the list was Birmingham at 1,008 thefts, followed by Liverpool (975), Glasgow (855), Manchester (742) and Leeds (732).

In the UK, stealing electricity carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail and an unlimited fine.

Stay Safe Energy, which is run by charity Crimestoppers, also warned stealing energy can carry serious dangers to health.

A spokesperson said: “Latest figures from the industry confirm that more than 100,000 confirmed energy theft offences in five years is a stark warning that this is far from a victimless crime.

“Tampered meters can cause fires, explosions and electrocution, while energy theft can be part of serious organised crime.

“It also pushes up costs for other households and businesses, meaning we all ultimately pay the price.

“The sustained rise in offences shows why it’s so important that people understand the dangers, know what to look out for and feel confident reporting their concerns.

“Whether it’s a bypassed meter, unusual wiring or suspicious activity around a meter box or mains service cables, we urge anyone with concerns to report it anonymously. You could be preventing a fire, protecting a neighbour or even saving a life.”

The findings come amid concerns that higher energy rates could be reached again as conflict in the Middle East continues to push up costs worldwide. Respected forecaster Cornwall Insight has predicted a price cap of £1,999 for January, which would bring bills to their highest level since August 2023.