Meter tampering rise

HALTON Housing Trust (HHT) have issued a warning after experiencing an increase in electrical theft and damage to the electrical equipment in homes.

The trust has reminded tenants that ‘tampering’ with electrical systems could have potentially fatal consequences.

Those tenants who are found guilty of electrical abstraction could be evicted from their HHT home.

A HHT spokesman said: “Abstracting electrical equipment is also highly illegal, and has the potential to cause electrical equipment to overheat, potentially leading to a house fire which could have serious consequences for all the inhabitants within the home, and neighbouring properties.

“Illegally abstracting electrical equipment is a criminal offence which could lead to a prosecution by the electrical supplier.

“The trust has a statutory duty to keep a record of, and report any instances of illegal abstraction of electricity in its properties to both the electrical supplier and the police.”

The trust has also advised tenants that their safety and others is their responsibility when it comes to maintaining their home, keeping it in a safe condition, and free from hazards.

The spokesman added: “A Halton Housing Trust customer must not do, or allow any act which may endanger their home, or any neighbouring property.

“If customers share an entrance to a property, they must not leave main doors unlocked or give keys to non-residents, and they must only permit entry to their own visitors, and nobody else under any circumstances.”

Those HHT customers who find evidence of illegal electrical extraction or damage to electrical equipment can call 0303 333 0101.