Fuel retailers across the UK are facing a sharp rise in “fill up and flee” incidents, with industry estimates suggesting losses have climbed to more than £100 million a year amid escalating fuel prices linked to the recent Iran conflict.
Data from around 500 forecourts indicates that fuel thefts have risen significantly since February, with daily incidents up by roughly 27 per cent, The Sun reported.
The volume of stolen fuel exceeded 6,500 litres per day in March, while the average daily value of theft increased from £8,378 to £10,652 over the same period.
If reflected nationwide across the UK’s 8,400 forecourts, losses could total approximately £1.25 million per week.
Industry figures report that petrol prices have risen by nearly 20 per cent and diesel by 35 per cent during the seven-week conflict, contributing to a near 30 per cent increase in thefts.
In some cases, retailers say incidents have escalated dramatically, with one forecourt operator in south-east London reporting a rise from one theft a week to as many as four per day.
Claire Nichol, chief executive of the British Oil Security Syndicate, said drive-offs and non-payment incidents have increased by 19 per cent since the conflict began, warning that deliberate evasion is costing the sector more than £100 million annually.
Forecourt operators report increasingly sophisticated methods being used by offenders, including vehicles fitted with additional tanks and the use of false number plates. Some incidents involve motorists declaring “No Means of Payment” (NMOP) after filling up, while others simply leave without entering the shop.
Under the Theft Act 1978, making off without payment is a criminal offence punishable by fines or up to two years in prison. However, retailers claim enforcement remains limited, with many incidents treated similarly to low-value shoplifting and rarely resulting in prosecution.
Gordon Balmer, of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “Driving off without paying costs all motorists because if the debt is not recovered it has to be written off adding to the spiralling costs of operating a forecourt.
“The PRA was instrumental in convincing the Government to allow a digital service to be implemented when requesting registered keeper details from the ĎDVLA and this has improved the rate of recovery."
Business leaders have called on the Chancellor to temporarily increase fuel duty relief from 5p to 10p to aid struggling families and small businesses.
They say this would be offset by the increased VAT the Government is collecting on a litre of petrol or diesel.
Federation of Small Businesses, is also urging the the Chancellor to act. He said an average diesel van driver will be facing almost £500 of extra costs annually as a result of the price rises.