Two bars and an off-licence reported over alleged electricity tampering

May 26 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

Two bars and an off-licence reported over alleged electricity tampering

TWO Hamilton pubs and an off-licence had to close following investigations into alleged electricity fraud.

During an operation in the town last week, officers from Strathclyde Police searched the premises of the Bar 147 snooker club in Quarry Street and the Mill Inn in Millgate Road.

Officers also went to the Whitehill Stores off-licence in Margaret Road.

After the search, licensees were reported for allegedly tampering with their electricity meters.

They will also be reported to Hamilton Licensing Board, a police spokesman said this week.

Last Wednesday, May 18, all three premises were visited by cops working in conjunction with officials from Scottish Power’s Revenue Protection Unit.

As a result of what was allegedly discovered there, the premises have been reported to the fiscal at Hamilton over an alleged breach of the Electricity Act 1989.

Power was also cut off at the sites, effectively forcing them to close.

It is alleged that laws governing the use of electricity had been breached intentionally, or by culpable negligence, preventing the meter from registering the quantity of electricity supplied to the premises.

If convicted, the licensees of each premises could face a fine of up to £1000.

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said this week: “During a day of action last Wednesday, three licensed premises in Hamilton were visited.

“These were Bar 147 in Quarry Street, The Mill Inn in Millgate Road and the Whitehill Stores in Margaret Road.

“As a result, the electricity supply was cut to these premises, effectively forcing them to cease trading.

“They have also been reported to the procurator fiscal under the relevant legislation, that being the Electricity Act 1989.

“A report has also been sent to the area’s licensing board for consideration.”

Sergeant Alistair Anderson, of the Divisional Co-Ordination Unit (Licensing), added: “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Scottish Power, carrying out joint visits to licensed premises to ensure that electricity equipment is in order and not being tampered with in accordance with the Electricity Act 1989.

“Officers will continue to work with their partners across South Lanarkshire in future initiatives to identify unscrupulous licensed premises who flout the law.”

A spokesman for ScottishPower said this week: “ScottishPower continues to work proactively with police authorities across the country to target premises that have dangerous, illegal electricity connections.

“Meters that have been tampered with are often left in a hazardous condition, with exposed wires and damaged safety equipment increasing the risk of fires or people nearby suffering electrical shocks.

“We can confirm that power supplies to three properties in the Hamilton area were disconnected on May 18 following a joint operation with the police.”