Weed and crypto behind record electricity theft in England and Wales
England and Wales have seen electricity thefts rise by 75% since 2012, in large part due to cannabis farms, cryptocurrency mining, and the cost-of-living crisis, a BBC analysis has found. Over 3,500 offences were reported in 2021 to 2022 — the highest its ever been. According to a spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) who spoke to the outlet, electricity theft poses “a growing problem.” “It is a concerning crime as it can put people’s safety at risk and support the activity of serious organised crime,” the spokesperson said. Electricity theft involves tampering with or bypassing meters to avoid paying for energy. While tempting, the risks can be deadly; exposed wires and bypassing fuse boxes increase the likelihood of fires and death. Using figures from 42 police forces across England and Wales, the BBC found that the past three years have surpassed records. However, while some forces saw sharp rises in electricity the...