UK Fuel Thefts Surge 62% Amid Price Rises

Fuel thefts at British petrol stations have surged by 62 percent over the past year, driven by sharp increases in pump prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to data from fuel recovery firm Pay My Fuel. The average number of drive-offs, where motorists fill up and leave without paying, rose from 2.1 incidents per forecourt per week in March 2025 to 3.4 in March 2026. The value of fuel stolen per incident also climbed 46 percent, from 56 pounds to 67 pounds.

The escalation began after the war involving Iran erupted on February 28, sending oil prices soaring and adding pressure on consumers amid the cost-of-living crisis. Since then, the cost to fill a typical 55-liter family car has increased by 14 pounds for petrol and 27 pounds for diesel, with petrol prices up 25.1 pence per liter and diesel up 48.6 pence per liter, based on analysis from the RAC. Industry experts attribute the theft spike directly to these rises, noting that forecourts in less affluent areas such as east and southeast London, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham face problems three or four times worse than average.

One southern England petrol retailer, who manages five sites...