New rules meaning that gas suppliers will have to be much more proactive at stamping out gas theft are set to come into force from January 2013.

Gas theft puts lives at risk and also increases costs for consumers. Research suggests theft could cost around £138 million, or around £6 per household per year. The new regulations require gas suppliers to detect, prevent and investigate gas theft.

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As well as meeting the new rules, suppliers will also be required to set up a cross industry theft risk assessment service to help them target investigations. This body will analyse and identify when theft may be happening. Similar bodies already exist in the water, insurance and telecommunications sectors.

The rules are due to come into force on 7 January 2013.

(CD/GK)