More people were found to be bypassing electricity in Lancashire than ever before, data has shown.
Electricity theft – which can be carried out by tampering with a line or bypassing a meter – has the potential to cause serious injury and is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Home Office figures show Lancashire Constabulary received 309 reports of the “dishonest use of electricity” in the year to March – up from 230 in 2020-21, and the most since comparable records began in 2012-13.
In Lancashire, 325 investigations were concluded in 2021-22, with 52 per cent resulting in no suspect being identified, 29 per cent abandoned due to evidential difficulties and nine per cent resulting in a charge or summons.
Though already an increasing problem, the National Energy Action campaign group said it is “horrifying” others could be turning to the illegal practice to keep their lights on amid a growing fuel crisis.
Across England and Wales, 3,600 such offences were recorded in 2021-22 – up 13 per cent on the year before and the most since comparable records began in 2012-13.
Around 1,100 of these occurred between January and March – almost double the number recorded over the same period in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Stay Energy Safe, operated by Crimestoppers, says tampering with a meter can lead to wires overheating, the damage of property and potentially loss of life.
It also warns the crime costs energy companies a minimum of £440 million each year – with these costs then passed on to customers.
An Ofgem spokesperson added that “under no circumstances should consumers attempt to connect electricity meters themselves”.
Across all police forces, 57 per cent of dishonest use of electricity cases were closed last year with no suspect identified.
A spokesman added: “We are committed to cracking down on crime, including the criminal theft of electricity, which causes serious injury to people and damage to property.”