Forecourt fuel theft surges 200 per cent as prices rocket

Surging prices at the pumps have led to a 200 percent increase in the number of motorists driving off without paying, it can be revealed.

The war in Ukraine has seen the cost of petrol and diesel soar to over £1.60 and £1.70 respectively, with fears that prices may rise even higher in the coming weeks.

Petrol retailers have reported a worrying increase in the number of forecourt fuel thefts, with police in some areas now introducing special measures to combat the crime.

Staff working at petrol stations have also seen a rise in the level of threats, aggression and even violence as motorists vent frustration at the soaring costs of filling up their cars.

It is estimated that there are around 1.7 million incidents of drivers not paying for fuel – known as "bilking" – across the country each year.

But a snapshot comparing the first week of March with the first week of December last year found there had been a 215  percent increase in cases. The overall cost to the industry of drivers making off without paying is estimated to now be in excess of £100 million, up from £88 million in 2019.

Forecourt crime can involve motorists simply driving off without attempting to pay for fuel or claiming that they have no means of paying, agreeing to return later and failing to do so.

The problem is exacerbated because police forces in some areas are too stretched to pursue offenders, meaning it is up to retailers to take action themselves to recover payment. But most garage forecourts are franchisees running small businesses rather than being controlled directly by big petrochemical firms.

Claire Nichol, the managing director of the British Oil Security Syndicate (Boss), which campaigns to reduce forecourt crime, said the problem was hitting businesses hard coming so soon after the impact of lockdown.

She said: "Record fuel prices make not paying for fuel more attractive to criminals, and early reports indicate forecourt fuel crime has jumped in recent weeks.

"Reported incidents of unpaid fuel are 215 percent higher when comparing the number of incidents reported during the first week in March 2022 with reports during the first week in December."

Many staff suffering verbal abuse

Ms Nichol said the average amount of fuel being taken in such cases had actually fallen, suggesting that motorists who deliberately evaded paying for fuel were nervous about filling up completely because it might draw attention to their actions.

She added: "In 2019, Boss estimated that unpaid fuel cost UK forecourt operators £88 million per annum. Lockdowns saw incidents see-saw, but since the economy reopened forecourt fuel crime has begun to move back to pre-pandemic levels.

"If the current trend continues, we expect to see losses from forecourt fuel crime soaring above £100 million per annum."

James Lowman, the chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, which represents many forecourt businesses, said there had been reports of staff suffering verbal abuse.

He added: "Most customers really appreciate the people working in petrol stations they use and recognise that rising petrol prices aren't their fault, but we have heard more reports of verbal abuse from frustrated customers.

"We encourage everyone using all types of retail outlets to show patience and understanding of the considerable pressures our colleagues are under."

Meanwhile Wiltshire Police have introduced a number of measures aimed at tackling the growing problem of fuel theft. The measures include increased CCTV and posters reminding motorists that they are being recorded.

Inspector Al Lumley said: "As we see increases in fuel prices, then we have to assume that this type of crime is going to be on the increase. Therefore we will be working closely with local businesses and petrol stations to help put measures in place to protect against bilking."