Britain is grappling with a surge in fuel thefts following the conflict in Iran, with both petrol station owners and drivers becoming targets of fuel thieves. As a result of the turmoil caused by Donald Trump’s actions, petrol prices in the UK have risen by approximately 20% and diesel prices by up to 34%. This spike in prices has led to an increase in incidents of customers filling up their tanks and claiming they cannot pay, known as No Means of Payment (NMoP) cases.
According to Michelle Henchoz, director at surveillance company Forecourt Eye, fuel criminals are now favoring NMoPs as they are considered a civil matter rather than a criminal offense like drive-offs. Henchoz explained that repeated NMoP offenses can escalate to fraud, making it a criminal issue. The daily value of stolen fuel has surged by 28% since the conflict began, with Mondays being the peak day for fuel thefts. Recently, there has been a rise in pedestrians filling containers at the pump and walking away to evade detection.
Car owners and HGV drivers are also falling victim to fuel theft, with some resorting to the traditional method of siphoning fuel from unattended vehicles. In one incident in Bradford, a drainage firm was targeted by thieves who stole £2,500 worth of fuel from two lorries. The introduction of regulations in 2022 requiring businesses to use regular road fuel instead of red diesel has made them vulnerable targets for theft.
In another case, 25,000 liters of diesel were stolen from a haulage firm in Grantham, where hidden pipes were used to siphon fuel from the company’s storage tank. Residents in Clacton-on-Sea reported instances of holes being drilled into their car fuel tanks to steal fuel, bypassing anti-siphoning technology. Car insurance expert Phil Evans advised individuals not to start their engines if they suspect fuel tampering, as contaminated fuel can cause further damage.
Evans highlighted that larger vehicles like vans and Range Rovers are more appealing targets due to their larger fuel tanks. Authorities are investigating the incidents, but concerns remain about the increasing trend of fuel theft across the country.
