Fuel theft crisis explodes as drivers steal £200,000 of petrol every day

Britain’s fuel crisis has taken a darker turn, with forecourts losing almost £200,000 worth of petrol and diesel every day as thefts surge following the spike in energy prices.

Analysis by fuel theft prevention firm Forecourt Eye found that incidents of motorists taking fuel without paying jumped by 20 per cent in the five months after the Iran conflict began on February 28.

The financial damage has been even greater, with the value of stolen fuel rising 48 per cent over the same period as pump prices climbed. The company estimates UK forecourts are now losing around £194,000 a day across the country’s 8,359 petrol stations.

The increase has not been limited to repeat offenders. First-time fuel thieves accounted for a sharp rise in incidents, with a 23 per cent increase in thefts and a 26 per cent rise in the amount of fuel stolen.

The figures, based on a sample of 550 forecourts, include both traditional “drive-offs” and cases where customers fill their tanks before claiming they cannot pay.

The surge comes as motorists face some of the highest fuel costs in years. Petrol prices reached an average of 160p per litre on Friday — around 27p higher than before the conflict and the highest level for three and a half years. Diesel has climbed even further, averaging around 179p per litre.

Forecourt operators warn that rising theft is adding pressure to already squeezed businesses.

Michelle Henchoz, managing director of Forecourt Eye, said criminals were becoming increasingly organised and sophisticated, requiring better technology to protect retailers.

The Petrol Retailers Association also warned of growing abuse and aggression towards staff, who have no control over fuel prices.

Independent forecourt owners say many thieves mistakenly believe they are stealing from multinational oil companies rather than small businesses.

Ben Lawrence, who runs five petrol stations, said an £80 or £90 fuel theft directly hits operators who have already paid for the fuel.

The figures highlight the wider strain facing Britain’s retail sector, where rising living costs and higher prices are increasingly being blamed for a surge in crime. For small forecourt businesses, every unpaid tank is another blow in an already difficult economic environment.