I worked for British Gas for 20 years.
Meter-Theft division?
I did actually have a spell in the anti fraud dept., yes.
How do you stop the meter thingy going round then? 
Tilting or turning it 'round used to work apparently. Making it go backwards was always a hoot to witness, but not for the cussie when caught.

Dunno now.
I guess technology over the past 20 years has erradicated the problem.