Electricity theft – linked to cannabis farming – increases across North East

Electricity theft involves bypassing or tampering with the official source of electricity (often, meters) in order to avoid paying charges.

Stats from the BBC Shared Data Unit show that over the last year, there has been an increase in the amount of electricity theft in Durham, North Yorkshire and Northumbria. In Cleveland, there has been no change in rates of electricity theft since ten years ago. 

The crime can put properties in danger of fire, due to unstable connections. 

Read more: National Grid issues update on UK power outages this winter

In August, a Middlesbrough house fire is believed to have been started by the  “dangerous electrics” powering a cannabis farm. Plants with an estimated street value of over £40,000 were discovered following a blaze in a Clive Road property. 

The Durham area has seen one of the biggest increases in electricity theft nationally – with 97 cases confirmed in 2022/23, an increase of 185.3 per cent since increase 2012/13. 

North Yorkshire and Northumbria force areas also saw increases of 37.5 per cent and 33.3 per cent respectively. 

Nationally, the crime has hit record levels in the last two years. This is in light of the cost of living crisis, which has seen the real-term cost of electricity more than double since 2010. 

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The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) acknowledged the issue was “a growing problem”.

Northumbria Police warned that electricity theft is not only illegal and a criminal offence, “but could also result in serious harm.

“Bypassing the official source of electricity can leave properties with unstable connections and, in some cases, become an extreme fire hazard – putting the lives of everyone in or near the property at risk.

“Our communities don’t deserve to live next to anyone involved in any kind of offending, especially where it may put them in harm’s way – so we would urge anyone with concerns to report them.

The force has vowed to “work closely” with a wide range of partners to tackle this issue and “raise awareness of the potential dangers and consequences”.

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Regulator Ofgem said: “Part of our role as regulator is to set really clear standards of conduct for suppliers that prioritise protecting consumers.

“Ofgem takes cases of electricity theft very seriously in the interest of consumer safety, and suppliers must take all reasonable steps to detect, investigate and prevent suspected theft.

“If households are struggling with bills, we would encourage them to contact their suppliers to ask for support. Ofgem has been working closely with industry to make sure they are proactively supporting their customers, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.”