Fuel Theft in UK Surges Amidst Rising Prices Linked to Middle East Conflict
Industry analysis indicates nearly £200,000 of fuel stolen daily from UK forecourts since late February.
Nearly £200,000 worth of fuel has been stolen daily from United Kingdom petrol stations on average since the start of the recent conflict in the Middle East, according to industry analysis. The figures from Forecourt Eye suggest that incidents of fuel being taken without payment have increased by 20% in the five months since February 28.
The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted oil supplies in the region, leading to a rise in wholesale prices and subsequent increases in the cost of fuel at UK pumps. Forecourt Eye estimates that the value of stolen fuel has increased by 48% compared to the five months prior to the conflict, reaching an estimated daily average of £194,000.
Petrol stations are also reporting an increase in instances of abuse, intimidation, and violence from frustrated customers, the fuel theft prevention company stated. The analysis is based on data from 550 forecourts, comparing the five months before the conflict with the five months after its commencement, and extrapolating these findings to the UK's 8,359 forecourts.
The number of recorded incidents at the sampled forecourts equates to an average of 2,872 daily incidents across the UK in the months following the conflict's start, an increase from approximately 2,400 daily incidents previously. These incidents include drivers leaving without paying or claiming inability to pay after filling their vehicles.
The volume of stolen fuel has risen by 24%, from an estimated 87,000 liters to 108,900 liters per day across all forecourts. In response to these trends, Forecourt Eye plans to partner with facial recognition company Facewatch, offering over 2,000 retailers free access to crime reporting technology starting in the autumn.