Electricity meter tampering tenants set for a shock

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Legal

Tenants who tamper with electricity meters to gain free power are set to be tackled by Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT).

The housing association is training 150 staff and contractors to spot the signs of meter tampering at the 10,000 homes it owns across Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire.

LHT are taking action after a fire was started by an electricity meter that had been tampered with at a three-storey block of flats in Peel Street, Liverpool.

Meter tampering can cause sparks that lead to fires, expose others to the risk of electrocution and invalidate insurance policies.

If successfully prosecuted, ‘meter cheaters’ can face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to £2,000.

Energy supply companies can also disconnect an electricity supply that has been tampered with leaving householders without power.

Simon Brown, divisional director (asset management,) said: “The reason why LHT is taking this hard line is simple: electricity fraud can kill. Tampering with electricity meter can be lethal, not only for the culprit but also for neighbours and friends living nearby.

“Our staff and contractors visit thousands of our tenants’ homes every year and are now fully trained to spot the giveaway signs left by ‘meter cheaters’.

“LHT has a zero tolerance approach to electricity meter tampering. If we discover that an LHT tenant has been involved they could face a criminal prosecution and eviction.”

Myles Platt, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service area manager for prevention and protection, said: "If the safety measures on electricity supplies are bypassed then it can also result in not only fire, which poses a risk to those who live nearby, but also all metal in that building could become 'live', raising the risks of electrocution and posing extra dangers to the emergency services and the public."