Electricity theft has spiralled into a serious and widespread problem across Greece — particularly in Western Attica, with hotspots including the Vlycho settlement near Megara and Aspropyrgos. Perpetrators are erecting massive, makeshift, and highly dangerous illegal power networks — directly tapping into Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDHE) poles via both overhead and underground cables.
A Persistent, Evolving Threat
Despite coordinated operations by police and DEDDHE — during which kilometres of illicit cabling have been dismantled — the issue remains stubbornly persistent. In Megara, Aspropyrgos, and other parts of Western Attica — and beyond — illegal connections are frequently reinstalled within hours of being removed.
Deadly Consequences
The risks posed by these unlawful setups are often fatal. A recent tragedy in Serres — where a 10-year-old boy died from electrocution after coming into contact with a tampered power network — underscores the life-threatening dangers involved.
Broader Social and Economic Dimensions
Some members of the Roma community have attempted to justify such acts by citing urgent needs for basic living conditions and education for their children. However, electricity theft is not confined to any single group — it reflects a wider socioeconomic challenge. Targeted inspections have revealed that businesses also engage in the practice, with owners altering meters to reduce soaring energy costs and maintain viability.
Nationwide, an estimated 5.5% of total electricity consumption is lost to theft.
‘Unfortunately, This Is an Everyday Phenomenon’
In an interview on ANT1, Aspropyrgos Mayor Ioannis Ilias described the frequency of electricity theft and arson incidents in the area. He referenced recent alarming events — including an attempted theft of a fire engine dispatched to extinguish a blaze, and a surge in illegal power connections — saying: “Unfortunately, this is an everyday phenomenon, especially fires set by specific resident groups, mainly from the Nea Zoi area, where Roma settlements exist.”
He added that intensified inspections by police, regulatory bodies, and the municipality over recent years have brought these incidents into the public eye. “There are two phenomena: arson and electricity theft. Daily, they burn anything they can gather from the basin — scrap metal, which they then sell.”
Towards a Sustainable Solution
When asked how local authorities and state institutions could jointly tackle such lawlessness, Mayor Ilias stressed the need for stronger oversight: “The solution lies in intensifying inspections and reinforcing the local police presence — so people feel monitored. Anonymity and impunity breed illegality. We must also shift mindsets: help people find legitimate work and move away from these daily unlawful practices.”