utilitys:do they prosecute for meter tampering?

Terrylw1

Ich wrote: »

The couple of cases I know of were instigated by the police following other incidents and them discovering the theft..
In one case (a drug growing operation) there had been a meter bypass which had damaged the main fuse to the extent that the person involved had use a stolen hammer to "replace" the main fuse (I kid you not).
In the end I made 3 separate statements that did lead to a successful prosecution.

That's good to hear, but the police will do this as they are expected.the engineers report instances of police onsite for things like this but the suppliers just do the normal process to bill for lost revenue. This is where i have an issue it it because the size of he theft could impact on the courts decision and unless the police call the supplier for the estimated value...big or small get prosecuted the same.

Terrylw1

davehsug wrote: »

When I asked I was told that ordinary domestic tampers are not prosecuted as the companies thought it was bad publicity! I would have thought the opposite.

It woud cause brand damage in the cases where the tamper occurred before the current occupier. Also, the supplier would have to work a lot harder to assure a court that the current occupier did it. The fact these tampers go on like this, with even squatters, its possible any law abiding person could find themselves in this situation unless they have a good look at the meters just I case as they move in, but this is not always possible e.g submetered/collector type properties, communal, locked, incorrectly wired/crossed wire shared fuse, etc.

If they can prove its the current occupier e.g. the last revolution of the meter dials is time stamped and proves it within their tenancy, they should do them for it in court, but they won't as its all costs and the regulator is very neutral on the isdue.

Terrylw1

chanz4 wrote: »

All im going to say is theft if theft, and suppliers do all talk so if caught by one you will be watched

Suppliers dont talk to each other about far larger industry problems that they could work together on, even the ones enforced by Elexon.

Besides, releasing details of this nature would be a DPA issue wouldn't it?

I have seen briefs sent out to warn suppliers about companies removing seals illegally but that came from the distributor. I assume they approached ofgem first about this but it had no real details in other than the company name and what they had done but they must have pursued it first to ensure they didnt get picked up for liable, they wanted suppliers and agents to be aware to provide them with any further cases so it must have been a bad one. However, suppliers couldn't report anything that might breach DPA within a DPA release form.

chanz4

Sorry but I know for a fact 100% they do, all rpu's with the exception of BG use the mpans local one for that area that save all. Suppliers do also call the other suppliers to check why someone has been disconnected by the loosing supplier, also the data is never written down so very hard to prove. However for the prevention of theft their is wavers as your talking about supplys and can be in the intrest of public safety.

utility_csa

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Suppliers dont talk to each other about far larger industry problems that they could work together on, even the ones enforced by Elexon.

Besides, releasing details of this nature would be a DPA issue wouldn't it?

I have seen briefs sent out o warn suppliers about companies removing seals illegally but that came from the distributor. I assume they approached ofgem first about this but it had no real details in other than the company name and what they had done but they must have pursued it first to ensure they idnt get picked up for liable, they wanted suppliers and agents to be aware to provide them with any further cases so it must have been a bad one. However, suppliers couldn't report anything tgat might breach DPA within a DPA release form.

Illegal removal of seals happens all the time. plenty of sparkies out their who remove the cut-out seals and pull main fuses. happens all the time. I know for a fact the DNO wont prosecute or even contact sparkies doing this, unless its caused a safety issue.

Saying that, their is thousands if not hundred of thousands of electric meters not sealed.

utility_csa

chanz4 wrote: »

Nope except for the ones advertising stolen meters, with national grid name printed on them etc. Its ilegal once you connect it to the main just like cable tv theft.

Not sure with gas, but im sure big industrial sites are starting to buy in gas.

In electric for example, First utility sold their meter stock to customers and onstream. the meter still says Property of "First Utility/WPD/EELC/LOND" but on the systems it will be "ONSE/Cust"

I reported a stolen gas meter being sold on ebay, the mop was working for at the time had recovered and the police had made an arrest within 24 hours.

chanz4

im wondering where the u16 itron meters that are brand new are coming from on ebay

C_Mababejive

chanz4 wrote: »

im wondering where the u16 itron meters that are brand new are coming from on ebay

I can tell you where they are going..

Terrylw1

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I can tell you where they are going..

Do you take PayPal?

chanz4

yeah all the take aways