The energy sector regulator in the UK, Ofgem has suggested new laws in order to check the electricity theft in the country.

The regulator said that it records about 25,000 cases of electricity theft every year and about a third of them are linked to growing cannabis. Ofgem estimated that £200million worth of electricity is stolen each by from the consumers while about £67million of electricity is used to power cannabis farms, that required huge amounts of powers as lights are required to be kept on for 12 hours a day.

Data showed that illegal farming added about £2 a year on each household bill in the country. The regulator is now suggesting tougher laws to check theft by encouraging power suppliers to take steps to prevent cannabis using electricity in the country. The regulator will impose huge penalties if the power firms do not investigate the thefts swiftly. They will have to set up risk assessment service to check thefts in the country.

ENERGY UK, the trade body said, "Electricity theft is dangerous and illegal. It also costs honest customers money, which is why energy companies take this and gas theft very seriously."