Penalties for stealing electricity are to ‘soar’ from 10 per cent to 200 per cent of the amount stolen. That appears to be a massive increase but in reality 200 per cent is only twice the value.

What a farce! It is no deterrent, especially if the common perception is that one is highly unlikely to be found out. A better deterrent would be to fine 10 times the value of the stolen amount for a first offence and 50 times for a second offence.

It might give some would-be thieves second thoughts.

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