Britain is facing a sharp rise in fuel theft as soaring pump prices drive more motorists to leave forecourts without paying, with losses now estimated to exceed \u00a3100 million a year.<\/p>\n
New figures suggest incidents of unpaid fuel have surged by nearly 30 per cent in recent weeks, as the cost of petrol and diesel continues to climb following the escalation of conflict involving Iran.<\/p>\n
According to the RAC, diesel prices have risen by 48.6p per litre since late February, while petrol has increased by 25.1p per litre \u2014 adding fresh strain on household budgets and, increasingly, on fuel retailers.<\/p>\n
Data from Forecourt Eye shows a 22 per cent jump in \u201cno means of payment\u201d (NMoP) cases, where motorists claim<\/a> they are temporarily unable to pay, alongside a 6 per cent rise in outright drive-offs across a sample of 500 petrol stations, the Independent reported.<\/p>\n While NMoP cases are not automatically treated as criminal offences \u2014 drivers are required to settle their bill within seven days \u2014 industry groups warn<\/a> the system is being widely abused.<\/p>\n The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) says such incidents now account for around two-thirds of all forecourt fuel crime, making it the single biggest challenge facing<\/a> operators.<\/p>\n Its debt recovery<\/a> arm, Payment Watch, reported a 19 per cent increase in unpaid fuel, pushing the sector\u2019s total annual losses beyond \u00a3100 million \u2014 a figure now surpassing levels seen in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n Campaigners are urging forecourt staff to remain vigilant, particularly during peak trading hours<\/a>, warning that some offenders enter shops to make small purchases while deliberately avoiding payment for fuel.<\/p>\n With energy markets still volatile and pump prices under pressure, industry experts warn the trend could worsen \u2014 leaving retailers<\/a> to absorb growing losses as the cost-of-living squeeze deepens.<\/p>\n Claire Nichol, executive director at BOSS, said: \u201cBOSS has seen reports of unpaid fuel jump 19 per cent during March. At current fuel costs, motorists deliberately evading paying for fuel is costing the forecourt sector more than \u00a3100m a year.<\/p>\n