Petrol thefts in the UK have reached alarming levels, with data revealing that these incidents are now at an all-time high. In the past year alone, two leading fuel security firms reported issuing a staggering 110,000 charges for alleged "pump and dash" thefts—an increase that represents a twenty-fold rise over a span of just six years. This spike has been attributed at least partly to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which has evidently pushed some drivers to flee forecourts without settling their bills.

Industry experts assert that the surge in theft reports reflects a genuine escalation in such offences, particularly as petrol prices have climbed sharply, with filling a typical family car now exceeding £100. This has led to an estimated 1.5 million incidents of non-payment each year, according to the British Oil Security Syndicate. Such incidents have significant repercussions: the average filling station faces an annual loss of approximately £10,500 due to fuel theft. The Petrol Retailers Association estimates that bilking costs petrol station owners around £100 million per year, heightening the urgency among retailers to combat this rising trend.

However, many drivers report being unfairly accused of theft, facing demands for hefty "admin fees" after what they believe were honest payment errors. Common scenarios include situations where card transactions are declined unnoticed, or when clerical mistakes misidentify purchases as unpaid. One such case involved Chris Mullen from Norfolk, who was unjustly charged £60 for allegedly failing to pay for petrol despite having filled up his diesel vehicle. His experience highlights the frustrations faced by numerous motorists, many of whom share similar stories on social media and forums.

As efforts to tackle these rampant thefts continue, technological advancements such as number-plate recognition systems have been deployed by security firms like Forecourt Eye and BOSS to track offenders. Last year alone, these companies sought driver details from the DVLA on nearly 113,000 occasions, a significant increase from the mere 5,500 requests made in 2018. Despite these strategies, police resources remain stretched, with a mere 5 percent of theft-related cases resulting in identified suspects, indicating a significant challenge in policing this type of crime.

The increasing incidence of fuel theft may not only frustrate retailers but also impact law-abiding customers as well, forcing an increase in prices across the board. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, has emphasised the societal implications of these crimes, which, while often viewed as low-level offences, can damage businesses and lead to higher costs for every driver. He urged that offenders must be made aware of the potential legal consequences, which include fines and imprisonment under the Theft Act of 1978.

While measures are being put into place to curb this rising trend, fears abound that without concrete action, the situation could worsen, leaving some areas underserved by petrol stations due to the financial strain of thefts. With rising fuel prices and systematic criminal behaviour becoming increasingly prevalent, the pressure is on for both retailers and authorities to address the issue effectively.

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Source: Noah Wire Services