Detecting and proving electricity theft

Identify hidden losses and secure the evidence

Electricity theft can quietly inflate bills, overload wiring, and create serious safety risks. Whether it is an illegal meter bypass, tampered seals, or unapproved connections to your supply, the impact is often felt long before the cause is seen. Our team investigates suspected theft in homes, apartment blocks, shops, and industrial sites, then documents findings in a way that can be relied on for insurance, landlord disputes, or legal action.

We work carefully and methodically, prioritising safety and chain of evidence. If you also need related repairs after an incident, we can coordinate the next steps through our electrical safety services partners once the investigation is complete.

When to suspect electricity theft

Not every high bill means theft, but several warning signs are worth checking. We start with a quick review of your usage history and a site walk through to identify likely causes and decide the safest way to proceed.

• Sudden bill increases without changes in occupancy or equipment
• Unusual heat, buzzing, or burning smells near the meter, consumer unit, or distribution boards
• Frequent tripping of breakers or blown fuses, especially after hours
• Meter behaviour that seems inconsistent, such as unexpected low readings or irregular display faults
• Shared areas where unknown cables or junction boxes appear, such as basements, risers, or plant rooms

For landlords and facility managers, theft can also show up as disputes between tenants, unexplained load in common areas, or repeated tampering with locked meter cabinets.

How we detect and verify theft

Safe inspection and non intrusive checks

We begin with a visual inspection of the meter enclosure, seals, tails, isolators, and nearby wiring. We look for signs of forced access, resealed covers, fresh tool marks, non standard conductors, or alterations that bypass measurement. Where appropriate, we perform non intrusive measurements to compare expected load with what the meter reports.

Load analysis and circuit tracing

To confirm where power is going, we use calibrated test instruments to map circuits and identify unaccounted loads. This may include clamp meter readings, timed load tests, and tracing of suspicious feeds to determine whether they serve your premises or an unauthorised connection. For multi unit buildings, we can help differentiate landlord supply, tenant circuits, and communal services to reduce false accusations.

Meter and supply integrity assessment

Some cases involve tampered metering, bypass links, reversed polarity, or unsafe bridging inside the cabinet. We do not break utility seals or interfere with equipment that must be handled by the network or metering provider. Instead, we document conditions and coordinate escalation so the responsible party can attend with the correct authority.

If immediate hazards are present, we can arrange urgent isolation and make safe actions through emergency electrical services, while preserving key evidence wherever possible.

Proving theft with clear documentation

Detection is only half the job. To support disputes or enforcement, we provide thorough documentation that shows what was found, why it indicates theft, and how measurements were taken.

• Photo and video evidence of access points, alterations, cable routes, and meter area conditions
• Instrument readings with time stamps, test method notes, and equipment identification
• Diagram and circuit notes showing suspected bypass paths and connection points
• Written incident report describing observations, risks, and recommended next steps

Where relevant, we can estimate likely unmetered consumption using load profiles and operating hours, clearly stating assumptions and limitations. This can help you understand the scale of losses and support a claim, while avoiding exaggerated figures that are hard to defend.

What happens after theft is confirmed

Once the evidence is gathered, we guide you through practical next steps based on your situation. This may include notifying the utility or meter operator, informing building management, and securing access points to prevent repeat incidents. We can also recommend upgrades such as lockable enclosures, improved riser security, and better circuit labelling to reduce opportunities for tampering.

If remedial work is required, we can help plan repairs and compliance checks through licensed electrician services so the installation is restored safely and documented properly.

Why clients choose our investigation service

• Safety first approach with controlled testing and risk focused decisions
• Clear, usable evidence designed for landlords, insurers, and legal review
• Discreet process to protect tenant relationships and minimise disruption
• Commercial and residential experience from single meters to complex multi board sites

If you suspect electricity theft, contact us to arrange an inspection and evidence report, and we will help you confirm the cause, protect your property, and take the right next steps.