Fuel stations are being targeted at alarming rates as the number of criminals stealing petrol and diesel spirals out of control.
New data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) shows that 66,378 fuel theft incidents took place last year as forecourt owners attempted to track down offenders.
This is a staggering 49 per cent increase compared to the previous year, when 44,631 incidents took place, showing how drivers are looking to get away with the practice more often.
Experts suggest that people who have tried to drive away without paying and succeeded, could become more brazen with the practice.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The rate of fuel thefts from supermarkets and major retailers has spiralled in recent years
PA/GETTY
The RAC Foundation, which obtained the data alongside PA, suggested that criminals could be under the impression that police forces are under too much pressure to focus on fuel theft.
The majority of offences related to so-called "bilking", which is where someone pumps fuel into their car and drives off without paying.
Between 2019 and 2024, around £6.6million of fuel was stolen in these types of incidents, according to an investigation by Forecourt Trader.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, discussed the argument that some drivers may be taking advantage of the cost of living crisis as a reason for stealing fuel.
Most petrol stations now have pay-at-pump facilities to speed up transactions
PAHowever, he shut this idea down, adding that many hard-pressed drivers continued to pay for their fuel and other motoring expenses, regardless of their financial situation.
He added: "Drive-offs might be seen as relatively low-level crimes in the grand scheme of things, but they are corrosive to society, damaging to businesses and ultimately push up pump prices for law-abiding motorists and riders."
Supermarkets and other major retailers are taking action to crack down on motorists stealing petrol and diesel from pumps, including pay-at-pump services.
The vast majority of fuel forecourts around the country now have a self-service option, which allows people to pay for their fuel without having to go into the adjoining shop.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
While this may seem more dangerous to some, most pumps do not allow motorists to begin refuelling until they have inserted their card or used contactless.
In most instances, retailers will include a temporary £100 charge on the card until they have finished filling up, before releasing the funds when they have paid.
Gooding added: "Those tempted to refuel without paying need to feel there is a real threat of being caught and punished."
Under the Theft Act 1978, drivers could be convicted of failing to pay for fuel and receive the maximum penalty of two years in prison, in addition to an unlimited fine.
However, there are new proposals included in the Crime and Policing Bill which could see drivers slapped with a £200 fine at a magistrates' court for the theft of goods.
According to PA, this would increase the maximum sentence for the crime to a staggering seven years, regardless of the value.
The executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, Gordon Balmer, said: "It is deeply concerning to see this criminal activity on the rise and its impact on those affected."
The PRA, which represents independent fuel retailers, supermarket forecourts and service station operators, said this was "not a victimless crime".
Most Read
