Gas meter nicked for second time

jrrowleyws

The gas meter at my flat has been nicked for the second time in 2 months. Doing the whole crime reference numbers etc to start the ball rolling to get another installed. This time they didnt nick the copper pipework going up the wall thankfully, so should be a quicker install.

Anyone got any ideas of what could be fitted around a gas meter to physically stop it from being able to be removed?

Greater Manchester is such a nice place.... least I now know that smack heads obviously like gas meters.

moonrakerz

Nicking gas meters ?

Next time someone offers me a good second hand gas meter, in a pub, I'll know where it came from !

theboylard

It's for the scrap value.
We had an attended theft earlier this year, left the bloody thing leaking!!!

Four legged beastie frightened them I think.

jrrowleyws

Two barreled beastie is needed!

Im just confused as to the ruling. A gas meter can be inside so im wandering if locking it in a steel box would be ok, or are gas meters required to be accessible??

I'd rather have the attempted theft. Getting a replacement is a real !!!!

theboylard

Tap the electric on to the gas, if the thieving gets try to steal again you might get crsipy fried scrotes

Might get a big bang as well, so lease it to the folk over at CERN? :money: Save them upsetting the space/time continuum

I believe (but quite happy to be corrected here) that you have to allow access at least once a year if the meter is internal for reading. The external jobbies make it easier for the utility co's to
a) have as little as possible to do in the house (if a leak is after the meter then it's your problem and chargable)!
b) make it cheaper to supply a property as they only have to go to an external wall, after that they charge bucks to extend it to where you want, but still outside!
c) PR answer, they don't have to disturb the householder to read the meter.

Gman0365

The gas meter must be accissible, but more importantly the emergency control valve for turning the gas off in the event of a leak. Depending on the type of box you have you can buy an aluminium over box. They are expensive (£88.00 + VAT) but are more suited to meterboxes that are prone to vandalism. This type of cover still has the same triangle type lock so access can be gained by anyone with a meterbox key.

http://www.meter-boxes.co.uk/content/METERBOXESrepairsolutions.asp?TypeID=2&CatID=28

The alternative is to ask you're gas supplier to have an anti tamper security collar fitted to the inlet of the gas meter. They come in various forms but essentially it clips round the brass nut on the inlet of the meter and prevents someone from removing it. They are more commonly used in Theft of Gas situations to prevent the meter installation from being tampered with. In your area the company responsible for looking after the gas meters should be National Grid. Page 6 of the following document details the services available for securing the gas meter.

http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/FE9C7A6A-47D5-4590-9CD5-B26F428987D4/24331/NationalGridMeteringChargesfrom1stApril2008.pdf

Hope this helps

lemontart

not only stolen for scrap value but it is a rising problem sadly and down right dangerous for the poor householders this happens too, I

greenbee

There's no requirement for it to be outside, just for your gas supplier to have access to it for meter reading and the company responsible for the meter to have access for safety checks.

If thefts are a problem in your area, then speak to National Grid to find out who is responsible for your meter (not the same as your supplier), and ask them about moving it inside (if you have somewhere to put it). Try to discuss it with them in terms of the two of you finding a solution, as although it is causing you problems, it is also causing them problems and costing them money, as well as having the potential to endanger the public - they should be keen to help you sort it out.

lemontart

I would like to move my gas meter to another location within my property.

• Meter moves for National Grid's Network should be directed to Domestic Connections in Northampton on Tel: 0870 903 9999.
• Northern Gas Networks: (Tyneside, Yorkshire) should be directed to Domestic Activities and Non-Domestic Tel:0870 300 7677.
• Wales and West Utilities: This includes Wales and South West (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset) should be directed to Customer Services team on Tel: 0870 165 0597.
• Southern England and Scotish Gas Networks Tel: 0845 026 0015.
• If you require an amendment to pipework from the mains in the street to your property (the meter) please contact the Domestic Connections team at National Grid Metering Gas on Tel: 0870 9039999 to discuss your requirements.

https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk

Pssst

National Grid does not own gas meters. NG provides emergency services and provides the infrastructure for gas transportation. A subsidiary company, National grid Metering may own your meter but then there are also many other MAMs (meter asset managers) . Some gas companies eg British Gas,have ownership of their own metering assets. Either way, NG do not have responsibility for resiting your meter. That would have to be dealt with via your gas supplier who,no doubt,would seek to charge. There is very little scrap value in meters. They are generally steel cased. The scroats may not know this. In other cases,meters get nicked to be used to obtain an illegal supply .

Joyful

Pssst wrote: »

. Some gas companies eg British Gas,have ownership of their own metering assets. .

To my knowledge they have not since deregulation.