The UKRPA is planning a Best Practice Workshop on EV Charging on 20th January 2022 and is looking for volunteers to join a Taskforce to assist with the planning of the event.
Please contact UKRPA@Gemserv.com for more information.
News & Events
National Conference 2022
Registration is now open for the UKRPA National Conference to be held on Wednesday 27th – Thursday 28th April 2022 at Ashorne Hill Conference Centre, Leamington Spa, CV33 9QW.
For more information contact UKRPA@Gemserv.com.
UKRPA Seminar 4 – Compliance and Assurance
Register Now: UKRPA Seminar 4 – Compliance and Assurance – 11th March 2020
The fourth and final Seminar of the 2019–20 UKRPA Seminar Programme is taking place at Gemserv offices on Wednesday 11th March 2020!
The fourth Seminar, ‘Compliance and Assurance’, will focus on how Revenue Protection Units can assist their quality management and achievement of excellence, including:
- Understanding the current RP compliance and assurance framework, and potential implications in the Theft Strategy Review;
- Designing processes around the consumer;
- Building effective audit and assurance frameworks;
- Delivering influential reporting and quality monitoring;
- Achieving compliance across multiple Suppliers; and
- Exploring case studies to encourage development of best practice.
This full-day event will appeal to parties in the RP space, particularly those who would like to ensure a high quality and compliant performance, and external Service Providers who manage multiple Suppliers.
UKRPA Members are entitled to two free places each. Non-Members are charged £200 for places, or £100 if you have been referred by a Member. Secure your places by emailing UKRPA@Gemserv.com for a registration form.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the Seminar, please email the Secretary.
National Conference 2020
Register Now: UKRPA National Conference 2020 Wednesday 24th – Thursday 25th June 2020
Building on the success of the 2018 event and 2019-20 Seminar Programme, the UKRPA’s National Revenue Protection Conference returns on Wednesday 24th – Thursday 25th June 2020 at Highgate House, Creaton, Northampton.
Registration is now open! Please visit the National Conference 2020 page to find out more.
British Gas Dismantles Cyber Crime Set-Up
When British Gas Revenue Protection (RP) Officers were called to a business unit in South Yorkshire countryside, they found a substantial illegal cyber crime set-up powered by a significant amount of computer hardware – none of the energy for which was being registered. In the main room, the Officers found 200 computer units cooled by industrial fitted air conditioning units. They were met with an alarm and discovered CCTV was watching every room.
The RP Officers immediately contacted Yorkshire Police, who joined them on site within minutes. Investigation has confirmed the unit was an underground Bitcoin mining set-up linked to a known cyber-criminal gang network with involvement in the Dark Web and many other dark illicit activities.
Grosvenor Services Group Electrical Review Article
In September 2019, Grosvenor Services Group issued a consumer poll asking 1,000 UK billpayers about their attitudes towards the potential amnesty being considered by Ofgem. Following the closure of the poll, Grosvenor Services published an article in the Electrical Review outlining the responses received and detailing the associated benefits and costs that an amnesty would bring.
Grosvenor highlights the low consumer awareness around the safety risks associated with energy theft and confirms the importance of safety being at the forefront of the decision as to whether an amnesty should be implemented. The UKRPA Chairman also commented, confirming the intention for the Association to provide support to Ofgem and Members in this deliberation phase.
This is a great example of our Members taking positive action to increase the public’s awareness around energy theft and meter tampering. We welcome and encourage any other stories you may have which highlight similar messaging.
You can find the full article here.
UKRPA Seminar 3 – Theory into Practice
The 2019-20 UKRPA Seminar Programme continues, with the third Seminar taking place at Gemserv offices on Wednesday 20th November 2019.
The four-part programme, which began in November 2018, is aimed at all levels of industry participants and will take deep dives into specific areas of Revenue Protection.
The Third Seminar, ‘Theory into Practice’, will focus on:
- Understanding legislation, policy and obligations, with an overview from ElectraLink on the SPAA and TRAS;
- Reflecting on how the theory materialises in the procedures carried out, including generating and conducting investigations;
- Exploring Members’ real-life case studies of these activities and discussing potential best practice, and
- Identifying next steps for the UKRPA to support Members in carrying out their responsibilities.
This full-day event will appeal to parties in the Revenue Protection space, particularly those who would like to consolidate their knowledge on their obligations throughout the process.
UKRPA Members are entitled to two free places each. Non-Members are charged £200 each per place, or £100 if you have been referred by a Member.
Please contact UKRPA@Gemserv.com to book your place and to find out more, including available sponsorship opportunities.
Save the Date: UKRPA National Conference 2020
The UKRPA’s 2020 National Revenue Protection Conference returns on Wednesday 24th – Thursday 25th June 2020 at Highgate House, Northamptonshire.
Further information, including confirmation of the topics, speakers and presentations for the two full-day event, will be circulated in due course.
The Conference is extremely popular and tickets will go on sale in early 2020, alongside details of how to register.
Sponsorship and exhibitor packages are also available; please contact the Secretariat at UKRPA@Gemserv.com if you are interested in pursuing these opportunities.
We look forward to engaging with you further on this exciting event. Please let us know if you have any questions in the meantime, or would like to participate in the Taskforce group responsible for organising the Conference.
Successful Discoveries of Cannabis Farms in July 2019
On 18th July 2019, a British Gas Revenue Protection Officer discovered a cannabis farm in Handsworth. Support was provided by the local Police to dismantle the farm, which comprised of 50 plants worth thousands of pounds. The full story can be found here.
In another case, British Gas Officers received a tip-off of a cannabis cultivation being grown in a man’s property in Gillingham, through a tampered meter. British Gas acted to clear the cannabis cultivation promptly, and the individual was arrested and remains in custody. Please see here to access the full story.
Galway Daily Story – Significant Fine for Gas Meter Tamper
On 9th July 2019, the Galway Daily Newspaper reported that Gas Networks Ireland has facilitated the enforcement of a significant fine in Galway for a gas meter tamper.
Galway District Court was informed that Gas Networks Ireland investigated the property of Ciaran Scully (Castlegar) and found that the gas supply had been illegal interfered with. Mr Scully pleaded guilty and the Court fined him €3,500.
Gas Networks Ireland issued a public warning to highlight the public danger of interfering with gas supplies, with the Networks Safety Manager, Owen Wilson, confirming, “A tampered meter is dangerous and creates a risk of a gas explosion which can result in serious injury or even death. Those who tamper with gas meters not only put themselves at risk, but also other occupants of the property, neighbours and members of the public.”
You can find the full story here.