LoginIdentifying and Reporting Energy Theft
Meter tampering and illegal connections can lead to electric shock, fire, explosion, gas escapes and other serious hazards, while also being linked to wider criminality including organised crime, safeguarding concerns and immigration offences.
Delivered by the UK Revenue Protection Association (UKRPA), this awareness session provides attendees with an introduction to energy theft, how it is identified, the risks it presents and what action to take when concerns are identified. Using real-life examples and case studies, the session will help attendees understand the important role that reporting and multi-agency collaboration play in protecting people, communities and infrastructure.
Who is this course suitable for:
This course is aimed at professionals who may encounter energy theft, meter tampering or unsafe energy installations as part of their operational duties, including:
- Home Office enforcement and investigation teams
- Immigration Enforcement officers
- Border Force officers
- Trading Standards professionals
- Local Authority enforcement officers
- Housing and community safety teams
- Environmental health practitioners
- Multi-agency operational teams
- Other frontline personnel involved in inspections, visits or enforcement activity
What you will learn
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Understand what energy theft is and why it matters
- Recognise common forms of electricity and gas meter tampering
- Identify common indicators of suspected energy theft
- Understand the safety risks associated with illegal energy connections and tampered meters
- Recognise potential links between energy theft and wider criminality, vulnerability and safeguarding concerns
- Gain an understanding of how the energy industry detects, investigates and responds to energy theft
- Understand the importance of multi-agency collaboration
- Know how to safely report and escalate concerns through the appropriate channels
Our Trainer
Gavin Straughan - Vice Chair, UK Revenue Protection Association (UKRPA)
Gavin is an experienced energy industry professional with extensive knowledge of revenue protection, energy theft, metering operations and the challenges associated with identifying and tackling utility-related crime. As Vice Chair of the UK Revenue Protection Association (UKRPA), he plays an active role in promoting industry collaboration, best practice and greater awareness of the risks associated with electricity and gas theft. Gavin is also Head of Business Development and Operational Efficiency at Haste / TMA Group.
With a background spanning operational management, business development and commercial strategy within the energy sector, Gavin has worked closely with energy suppliers, metering organisations and industry stakeholders to support the development and delivery of effective revenue protection services. His experience provides a practical understanding of energy theft, the associated dangers to public safety and the wider implications for consumers, businesses and critical infrastructure.
Gavin also represents the UK revenue protection industry internationally and is a regular speaker at industry conferences and events, including engagements in the United States and South Africa. Through these international relationships, he shares UK expertise and experiences while gaining valuable insights into the approaches, technologies and enforcement strategies adopted in other countries to combat energy theft and associated criminal activity.
Passionate about raising awareness of the links between energy theft and wider criminality, Gavin advocates for closer cooperation between energy companies, law enforcement, Trading Standards and other agencies. Drawing on real-world operational experience, international perspectives and industry case studies, he delivers practical insights into recognising the warning signs of energy theft, understanding the associated safety risks and improving intelligence sharing, reporting and multi-agency collaboration.
Schedules and Booking Details
Available Session:
- Session 1: 18 November 2026 (14:00-16:00)
- Session 2: 19 January 2027 (10:00-12:00)
- RATE: FREE
- LOCATION: via MS Teams
- CPPD: 2 hours
PLEASE NOTE: By clicking on the above link, you will be taken to CTSI's Booking Portal, where you can select your session and enter your details. Our general Terms and Conditions are here.
