Fuel theft from UK petrol stations has climbed to an average of £194,000 per day since the outbreak of the Iran war, according to industry data.
Key facts
- •The daily average value of stolen fuel has risen to £194,000, a 48% increase compared to the five months prior to the conflict.
- •The number of daily theft incidents across the UK is estimated at 2,872, up from approximately 2,400 before the war.
- •The daily volume of stolen fuel has increased from 87,000 litres to 108,900 litres.
- •Forecourt Eye's findings are based on a representative sample of 550 forecourts extrapolated to the UK's 8,359 total sites.
- •Retailers are partnering with facial recognition company Facewatch to offer free crime-reporting technology to over 2,000 retailers.
Fuel theft at UK petrol stations has surged by 20% over the five months since February 28, following the outbreak of the Iran war and subsequent rise in fuel prices. Data from Forecourt Eye indicates that the daily value of stolen fuel has reached an average of £194,000. The analysis, based on a sample of 550 forecourts, suggests that the volume of stolen fuel has increased by 24% as wholesale prices and pump costs rose due to regional supply disruptions.
By the numbers
Impact on Retailers and Staff
Forecourt Eye reports that retailers are facing increased instances of abuse, intimidation, and violence from customers. Shailesh Parekh, owner of six forecourts, stated that despite extensive CCTV coverage, theft remains a daily occurrence, with individuals filling both vehicle tanks and extra containers without paying. Parekh noted that he expects his annual losses from fuel theft to exceed the £40,000 recorded in his previous financial year due to current price spikes.
Industry and Government Response
To combat the trend, Forecourt Eye plans to provide over 2,000 retailers with free access to crime-reporting technology from Facewatch starting this autumn. Meanwhile, the government and industry groups remain at odds regarding fuel pricing. Chancellor John Healey has stated he will monitor for potential price gouging, a claim the Petrol Retailers Association has rejected as inflammatory. The Competition and Markets Authority reported in May that while there was no widespread evidence of price gouging, it is investigating increased fuel margins at five specific retailers.
Timeline
- 28 FebruaryThe period began for measuring the rise in fuel theft incidents following the outbreak of the Iran war.
- MayThe Competition and Markets Authority stated there was no widespread evidence of price gouging.
- AutumnForecourt Eye will offer retailers free access to facial recognition crime-reporting technology.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Business.
