22nd Jun 2015 10:38
LONDON (Alliance News) - Two of the 'Big Six' energy firms in the UK have issued staff responsible for investigating the theft of electricity and gas with stab vests, as controversy surrounding pre-payment meters escalates, The Telegraph reported Monday.
The protective clothing has been given to almost 400 employees of British Gas, part of Centrica PLC, and EDF Energy who investigate energy theft or who forcibly install pre-payment meters in households who run up debts.
Companies say they insist a customer has a pre-payment meter only as a "last resort", but energy regulator Ofgem is investigating after figures showed a rise in the number of cases in recent years.
Consumer groups warn the pre-payment meters - which generally come with more expensive tariffs than normal meters - may be imposed on vulnerable customers who are already struggling to cope with soaring energy costs.
More than 97,000 gas and electricity meters were forcibly installed in homes last year, up from about 64,000 in 2009. Theft of electricity and gas also is on the rise, costing the UK as much as GBP500 million per year, or GBP20 for every bill-paying household. The Telegraph also added that around a third of all stolen electricity is related to illegal cannabis farming operations.
The other four major suppliers ? Npower, E.On, SSE PLC and ScottishPower ? said they are keeping health and safety under review but have not issued their staff with stab vests.
By Joshua Warner; [email protected]; @JoshAlliance
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