Fuel theft from UK petrol stations is rising sharply.

Industry figures point to a surge in “drive-offs” and unpaid fuel incidents as pump prices climb and economic pressures intensify.

The attacks by Israel and the US on Iran, leading to the effective closing of the Straits of Hormuz, have exacerbated the problem.

Fill it up

New data shows fuel theft incidents have increased dramatically over the past year.

Figures compiled by fuel recovery firm Pay My Fuel indicate a 62% rise in forecourt drive-offs compared with 2025, with the average number of weekly incidents per site climbing from 2.1 to 3.4.

At the same time, the value of each theft is increasing.

The average amount stolen per incident has risen by around 46%, from £56 to £67, reflecting higher fuel prices and, in some cases, more deliberate criminal activity.

As fuel prices continue to break records and potential inflationary pressures spread across the economy, the concern is that this problem will only worsen without serious action to prevent it.

Across the UK, the scale of the problem is significant.

Industry estimates suggest around 178 incidents of unpaid fuel every day, equating to roughly 6,900 litres stolen daily.

News reports indicate total losses now exceed £1.2 million per week, with thefts up by more than 25% since early 2026.

Retailers say the increase has accelerated in line with rising petrol and diesel prices, driven in part by global instability in oil markets.

Higher costs at the pump, combined with ongoing cost-of-living pressures, are believed to be pushing some motorists toward opportunistic theft and creating opportunities for organised crime.

However, industry bodies stress that financial hardship is only part of the picture.

Watching the gauge

The Petrol Retailers Association has warned of a “concerning rise” in organised fuel theft, with criminals using modified vehicles, false number plates or containers to steal large quantities of fuel for resale on the black market.

There are two main types of offence: “drive-offs”, where drivers simply leave without paying, and “no means of payment” (NMOP) incidents, where motorists claim they cannot pay after filling up.

Both categories are increasing, with NMOP cases rising by around 20% in recent months.

Forecourt operators say the impact is severe, particularly for independent businesses operating on tight margins.

Some report losses of thousands of pounds per week, costs which are often absorbed or passed on to customers through higher prices.

Retailers currently make high profits on fuel, with margins roughly double historical averages (around 8p/litre).
 
As of May 2024, margins are approximately 12p per litre of petrol and 18p per litre of diesel.
 
While fuel sales are high-volume, they are seen as low-margin compared to other forecourt products, hence the rise in food and grocery sales as part of the retail deal.

Before 2022, average fuel margins were often lower, around 2-3p or 5-6p per litre, with higher figures now attributed to “rocket and feather” pricing – prices rise sharply when there are issues of global supply, but fail to drop at a similar rate when the issues are resolved.

Many believe that forecourt prices are unlikely to drop back to their levels before the latest conflict.

Stemming the flood

Despite the scale of the issue, enforcement remains a challenge.

Fuel theft is typically treated as a low-value offence, meaning police resources are limited, and prosecutions are relatively rare.

Historically, around 95% of cases have gone unsolved, with offenders often using cloned or obscured number plates to avoid identification.

In response, the industry is increasingly turning to technology.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems and databases such as Forecourt Eye and VARS are being widely deployed to identify repeat offenders and recover unpaid fuel.

These systems can flag suspect vehicles in real time and, in some cases, block them from refuelling.

Retailers are also adopting preventative measures, including pre-payment systems, improved CCTV coverage and closer collaboration with police and the National Business Crime Centre.

Some forecourts are trialling pay-at-pump technology to eliminate the risk of drive-offs.

No action

A government spokesperson said fuel theft “undermines businesses and workers” and confirmed that authorities are working with industry partners to tackle the issue and ensure offenders face appropriate consequences.

However, industry leaders argue that more needs to be done, including stronger enforcement and clearer legal frameworks to deter offenders.

As fuel prices remain volatile, experts warn that theft levels could continue to rise.

Without coordinated action from government, police and industry, forecourts may face increasing financial strain, while honest motorists ultimately bear the cost.