Energy meter reader trespass??

Richie-from-the-Boro

Terrylw1 wrote: »

The trouble is, these are the guys that just taking readings. They do what their companies Best Practice is.

The supplier can improve this by issue special access requests e.g. knock loudly. For customers with special needs, they do this, but they have this other facility for non special needs.

There is no reason why the supplier couldn't send a message like "knock loudly, wait, DO NOT scale spiked gates"...its a ridiculous thing to have to do, but perhaps a better access message will, help the OP.

They won't call them unless stated in this. Even then its always been the case that not even all engineers have always carried mobiles (it was some years who though) so its not always successful.

Evening appointments depend on the contract. If not, it may hit the safety check list but it will still be treated the same until someone decides to call the customer.

undaunted made a non~post s/he simply reiterated what I had already said which was that both (1) the SP reader and (2) steffyoak are both wrong. I'm not taking sides but its clear to me that by steffyoak's own missive s/he is a serial refusenik whern it comes to meter readers. Side of the house - rear - front - or on the roof - the householder for whatever reason will not answer the door.

steffyoak the solution to what's happening to you is in your own hands, you have a solution, only you can effect it - no one else but you can stop this happening to you - just answer the door or supply like the rest of us meter readings via the internet.

BTW the solution to gates is flimsy and full of nasty nails, those big solid oak gates [without a proper motion sensor security system] are just an inviting challenge to a thief. A 6 foot 14 year old could do it in a second or two, high gates are a deterrent not a protection, and recording the event is worthless if they are 'ballied' up. Speak to your supplier about your concerns - and compromise steffyoak - your protection is in your own hands.

[Deleted User]

Sorry steffyoak. i am guilty of not digesting your posts fully, i now see the full scenario. I am one of our companys highest earners and keen to get every reading possible and find it ridiculous that any meter reader would go that far for a couple of readings. my company have just won the contract for all Scottish Power work.All their meter readers are actually self employed, a new system they ve been using for a couple of years which may account for this guys antics. Sad to say he will most likely be unemployed come this september as we are not taking on their existing meter readers along with the contract. Your complaint to the company will be most likely result in management hammering home the fact to the franchised staff that acting like a burglar is definitely not acceptable.

art_for_arts_sake

I found a bottle of gin missing after a visit from a meter man. No-one else could, or would, have been aware of its location. I was tempted to leave a "doctored" bottle for his next visit but thought better of it.

Jamie_Carter

steffyoak wrote: »

I caught him half way in the act...upper part of his body was raised up over the top as he was attempting to lever himself over. The plastic spikes are meant to provide an element of "discomfort" as you put weight on them so...I imagine he'd have just begun to get the full effect of them on his hands or wherever! Either way - I'm definitely getting new/taller gates!

So get SP to pay for some spikes that are more effective.

As other people have said, a doorbell would be a good idea. I have a wireless one. So I can take the sounder where I want in the house, or even in the back garden.

TearingMyHairOut

Have you got a pitch fork? :eek::D

steffyoak

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

undaunted made a non~post s/he simply reiterated what I had already said which was that both (1) the SP reader and (2) steffyoak are both wrong. I'm not taking sides but its clear to me that by steffyoak's own missive s/he is a serial refusenik whern it comes to meter readers. Side of the house - rear - front - or on the roof - the householder for whatever reason will not answer the door.

steffyoak the solution to what's happening to you is in your own hands, you have a solution, only you can effect it - no one else but you can stop this happening to you - just answer the door or supply like the rest of us meter readings via the internet.

BTW the solution to gates is flimsy and full of nasty nails, those big solid oak gates [without a proper motion sensor security system] are just an inviting challenge to a thief. A 6 foot 14 year old could do it in a second or two, high gates are a deterrent not a protection, and recording the event is worthless if they are 'ballied' up. Speak to your supplier about your concerns - and compromise steffyoak - your protection is in your own hands.

Sorry but you've got the completely wrong end of the stick here! I am not a serial refuser or whatever when it comes to meter reader visits & already provide readings online when prompted. Neither do I refuse to answer the door. This was simply a case of the guy choosing to "act like a burglar" as someone else rightly described. I don't have to justify to anyone else the layout & design of my own property & the access to it. What I should expect is some common respect when it comes to third parties visiting it - whether I'm in the flaming house or not because I guarantee he thought I was out & was quite prepared to take this course of action regardless! I am female by the way & I just hope that none of your female friends or family every find themselves in a similar situation at home on their own with a strange guy (i) lurking outside their backdoor as in the first occasion it happened or (ii) half way over their gates! I suspect you'd take a different view it if happened at your home

Mankysteve

Are you sure these are meter readers. I can't see meter readers going out of there way to climb over a fence, they would just leave a card. Even if there on commison they'd loose out more farting around climbing over a fence.

Sure there not dodgy energy sales men or possible burglars.

Mankysteve

steffyoak wrote: »

Either way - I'm definitely getting new/taller gates!

If you get any taller gates. You'll planning permission

steffyoak

Mankysteve wrote: »

Are you sure these are meter readers. I can't see meter readers going out of there way to climb over a fence, they would just leave a card.

Sure there not dodgy energy sales men or possible burglars.

They were both meter readers. SP verified it after the event - although of course it's not the first thing someone is going to assume when they see that kind of activity going on! The guy I caught this week did shout out he was here to check the meters...this was said as he was scrambling like mad to get back down the gate before scuttling off down the drive like a frightened rabbit! Likewise, the other guy who I found outside my backdoor 6 months ago identified himself as from the meter Co but strangely he also chose to make a sharp exit when I asked for his name! Strange how neither of them where prepared to hang about & discuss the situation properly i.e. if they thought they had some devine right to be in those positions - clearly they knew they didn't.

amiehall

I agree you shouldn't have to explain yourself! It's not unreasonable to expect visitors to your house to wait at the door then leave if no-one answers. If I saw weird men climbing into my garden I would phone the police!