New Impact-focused client win for BH&P

Reading-based marketing agency powers new drive to stop harmful energy theft/meter tampering

Reading creative agency BH&P has been working indirectly with the not-for-profit organisation RECCo since the Retail Energy Code (REC) went live in 2021, bringing together a skilled team comprising of respected professionals from the energy industry to create real change in the sector.

BH&P was previously contracted to the charity Crimestoppers UK creating and launching the Stay Energy Safe service in 2016.

Becky Holland, CEO of BH&P explains, “With a proven track record in accelerating the growth of purposeful brands, we were delighted to be selected by Crimestoppers to launch the service back in 2016. A lot has happened in the intervening period – not least the war in Ukraine, Covid-19 pandemic and resulting cost of living crisis. When RECCo was formed, it made perfect sense for them to take ownership of the Stay Energy Safe service”

BH&P, pitched against several other leading marketing agencies, with a new strategy designed to “tune up to leap forward”.

Sid Cox, CEO of RECCo said, “It’s vital to understand the scale of the problems related to energy theft.  When people tamper with their electricity or gas supply, regardless of whether they understand that this is a criminal act, it causes a significant danger to life. It is estimated that up to 250,000 cases of energy theft go unreported every year.  Our objective is to assist industry in bringing that number down, to increase consumer safety and reduce the related financial cost of these crimes borne by other consumers.

BH&P’s proposal offered us the clarity and confidence of how the money contributed by the energy industry would be put to good use.”

The service has seen sustained growth over the eight years since its launch, with reports of energy crime, including meter bypassing, increasing year-on-year, gathered through RECCo’s anonymised reporting service powered by Crimestoppers. There were 11,552 reports of energy theft made in 2023, a 62% increase from 2021 reporting levels.

BH&P has been instrumental in helping us create a highly impactful brand with Stay Energy Safe over the last eight years,” says Mark Hallas, Chief Executive of The Crimestoppers UK. “We’re delighted to see that RECCo has made the decision to renew the agreement with the agency, as they have a deep and impressive understanding of the energy sector.

As part of the partnership with RECCo, BH&P will leverage its creative expertise to develop impactful campaigns that raise public awareness about the dangers and consequences of energy theft, these campaigns will include digital marketing and radio. These activities aim to educate consumers, encourage the reporting of suspicious activity, and ultimately reduce harm resulting from energy crime.

BH&P certified as a B Corporation in September 2023, a sign of their commitment to making a positive impact on people and planet.

We urge anyone who suspects energy theft to report it 100% anonymously. To find out more about the initiative, visit stayenergysafe.co.uk or the agency website bhandp.com