An estimated average of nearly £200,000 worth of fuel has been stolen from gas stations daily since the beginning of the Iran oil crisis. According to fuel theft prevention company Forecourt Eye, incidents of theft surged by 20% in the five months following the conflict’s onset on February 28 compared to the preceding five months.
The spike in fuel prices due to the ongoing war led to a 48% increase in the value of stolen fuel during that period, amounting to a daily average of £194,000 across 8,359 forecourts. First-time offenders saw a 23% rise in theft incidents and a 26% increase in the amount of fuel stolen, while repeat offenders experienced a 17% and 20% increase, respectively.
These statistics are based on data collected from a sample of 550 gas stations, encompassing drive-offs where payment is not made and incidents where customers claim they have no means to pay after refueling. The average price of petrol reached 160p per liter, which is 27p higher than before the conflict, marking a three-and-a-half year high. Diesel prices also rose to 179p per liter, about 37p more than pre-war levels.
Forecourt Eye is providing its customers with free access to crime reporting technology to facilitate the recording of fuel thefts and other illegal activities. Additionally, users can opt into a live facial recognition network operated by Facewatch to identify known offenders. Michelle Henchoz, the managing director of Forecourt Eye, emphasized the need for integrated technology to safeguard gas stations and convenience stores against increasingly organized criminal activities.
Gordon Balmer, the executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association representing independent gas stations, highlighted a surge in abuse and aggression towards staff due to rising fuel prices beyond their control. He praised the integration of technologies that aid retailers in crime prevention, incident management, and police cooperation.
Ben Lawrence, a director at Lawrences Garages, noted a shift in fuel theft patterns away from individuals involved in other crimes, attributing the change to the escalating cost of living. He dispelled the misconception that all gas stations bearing branding from major energy companies are operated by those corporations, underscoring the impact of fuel theft on smaller businesses.
Lawrence emphasized the financial burden on gas station owners when customers drive off without paying, stressing that the losses directly affect them rather than the oil companies. He urged customers to recognize the repercussions of fuel theft on independent businesses and to understand the significance of paying for the fuel they consume.