Global recognition for a proven scheme
We’re proud to announce that the Energy Theft Tip-Off Service won the 2025 Global Award for Community Engagement & Awareness from Crime Stoppers International.
The award recognises services that genuinely shift public behaviour and deliver measurable impact. The Energy Theft Tip-Off Service does exactly that. It’s giving people the confidence to speak up and giving the industry a clearer view of suspected energy theft than ever before.
A reporting model that works
The Energy Theft Tip-Off Service was launched in 2016 by Crimestoppers (UK) to give the public a safe, simple, and completely anonymous way to report suspected energy theft. Public reporting happens through Stay Energy Safe, the Crimestoppers platform that fronts the service and gives the public a trusted way to speak up without revealing their identity.
It’s a straightforward model: Crimestoppers receives the information, assesses this against set criteria, prepares reports, and passes it directly to the relevant supplier or network operator, so potential cases can be investigated quickly and safely. It works because the public trusts it.
Since the first full year of the service, reporting has climbed by 413% (from 2,613 in 2017-18 to 13,413 in 2024-25). That’s a clear sign more people understand the risks, recognise the signs, and trust the anonymity the service provides.
How the public-facing model connects to industry action
Stay Energy Safe gives the public a single, anonymous, trusted reporting route.
The Energy Theft Tip-Off Service turns that information into clear, actionable intelligence for the market.
Together, they form a connected system. Anonymous reporting on one side, industry response on the other. That’s what makes the model so effective and why it continues to gain traction across the UK.
Why the judges recognised the scheme
The award celebrates initiatives with clear public benefit and strong evidence behind them. The service stood out because it:
- Drives a sustained rise in public reporting
- Provides an anonymous reporting route that the public genuinely trust
- Offers reliable intelligence for suppliers and networks
- Supports collaboration across the sector
- Delivers measurable results year after year
It’s a reminder of how important the scheme is in protecting people, infrastructure, and revenue.
A partnership built on trust and purpose
Our work with Crimestoppers sits at the heart of this success. Their expertise and independence give people the confidence to come forward anonymously. Their insight also reinforces a key point: energy theft often co-occurs with other forms of criminal activity. This includes drug cultivation and people trafficking.
Through the service, information that once went unreported now reaches the right people quickly and safely.
Looking ahead
This award marks a significant milestone for the service and the sector. Reporting continues to rise, and awareness is growing. We’re building on that progress by strengthening our partnership with Crimestoppers and deepening our understanding of the service across the market.
The aim stays the same. Make it easier for more people to speak up and give the industry the intelligence it needs to keep communities safe.
