The value of fuel taken in “no means of payment” (NMOP) incidents has surged by 65 per cent, according to new data from Forecourt Eye, highlighting a rapidly worsening trend driven by financially distressed motorists.
The latest analysis, based on a sample 500 petrol stations across England, Scotland and Wales, shows NMOP losses rising sharply from £3,270 to £5,392 per day based on a comparison of the 50 days leading up to the Iran conflict (28 February 2026), and the 50 days following (up to and including 19 April 2026).
While the value of this increase can be partly attributed to rises in fuel prices generally, the sharp spike demonstrates a change in behaviour with individuals taking more fuel rather than smaller amounts – suggesting necessity over opportunity.
Forecourt Eye, a fuel crime prevention and debt recovery platform which protects a quarter of the UK’s 8,400 forecourt, says what initially appeared to be a short-term reaction to rising fuel prices has developed into a sustained and accelerating shift in fuel theft and payment avoidance.
Alongside the surge in no means of payment incidents, the profile of offenders continues to evolve.
First-time offenders are responsible for a growing share of incidents, with the volume of fuel being taken in these cases, linked to vehicle registrations with no previous record of offending behaviour, rising by 23 per cent, up from 20 per cent in March.
Forecourt Eye is also warning forecourt operators and the public to be vigilant to a ‘concerning rise’ in organised fuel theft, where large plastic containers concealed in vans are filled at the pumps and then driven off with no attempt made to pay.
Michelle Henchoz, Managing Director or Forecourt Eye said: “We have seen a concerning increase in vehicles arriving at forecourts equipped to take large volumes of fuel in a single visit, which strongly suggests it is being resold as part of an illicit fuel trade.
“The most alarming aspect is the method being used, with fuel being stored in plastic containers or improvised tanks inside vehicles, which is extremely dangerous. In the event of a collision, the consequences could be catastrophic, not just for those involved but for other road users as well.”
She added: “We are warning forecourt operators and the public to be extra vigilant and report any incidents like this to police. We are also encouraging police forces to contact us for support with these incidents in the same way as we have recently worked with Hertfordshire Constabulary on similar cases.”
Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “The increase in pump prices has been matched by a rise in motorists driving off without paying or claiming they have no means to pay.
“While we recognise the financial pressures many households are facing, this behaviour is having a direct and immediate impact on forecourt operators.
“This is not a victimless crime. When fuel is not paid for, the cost does not disappear, it is absorbed by the retailer and ultimately adds to the wider cost of running a forecourt.
“Many of our members are independent, family-run businesses operating on tight margins. They simply cannot absorb repeated losses without it affecting their ability to serve their local communities.”
The data from across the 500-site sample:
Daily incidents increased by 13% (158 to 178 per day)
Daily fuel volume stolen rose by 17% (5,912L to 6,901L per day)
NMOP incidents driving the surge:
The most significant shift is in “No Means of Payment” incidents, where motorists remain on site and state they are unable to pay.
NMOP fuel volume increased by 35% (2,214L to 2,990L per day)
NMOP value rose by 65% (£3,270 to £5,392 per day)
NMOP incidents increased by 20% (44 to 53 per day)
By contrast, traditional drive-offs are increasing at a more moderate pace:
Drive-off volume increased by 6% (3,677L to 3,906L per day)
Drive-off value increased by 22% (£5,407 to £6,584 per day)
Drive-off incidents increased by 10% (114 to 125 per day)
This means NMOP is growing nearly six times faster than drive-offs in volume terms, marking a fundamental shift in how fuel theft is occurring.
First-time offenders behind the growth
The data also show that the surge is being driven predominantly by new offenders rather than repeat criminals.
First-time offender fuel volume increased by 23% (3,841L to 4,708L per day)
First-time offender incidents increased by 16% (107 to 125 per day)
In contrast:
Repeat offender volume increased by just 6% (2,067L to 2.194L per day)
Repeat offender incidents increased by 4% (51 to 53 per day)
This indicates that fuel theft is no longer being driven primarily by habitual offenders, but by new individuals entering the system.