Britain's fuel stations are becoming lawless battlegrounds as organised crime gangs exploit a surge in drive-off thefts, leaving owners thousands of pounds out of pocket. One frustrated forecourt operator has revealed losses exceeding £10,000, accusing police of failing to tackle the escalating crisis.
The £10,000 Scam Epidemic
Petrol station owners across the UK are sounding the alarm as sophisticated criminal networks systematically target their businesses. "It's not just opportunistic theft anymore," explains one owner. "We're seeing coordinated attacks where multiple vehicles hit different stations in quick succession."
The scam typically involves:
- Drivers filling up with expensive fuel
- Quickly departing without payment
- Using cloned or false number plates
- Targeting multiple stations in a single day
Police Response Falls Short
Despite repeated reports, many station owners claim police response has been woefully inadequate. "They treat each incident as isolated rather than part of a wider pattern," complains one operator. "By the time they respond, the criminals are long gone."
Industry experts warn the problem has worsened since the cost-of-living crisis began, with some stations now requiring prepayment or installing advanced ANPR cameras to combat the thefts.
A Call for Action
The Petrol Retailers Association is urging authorities to:
- Recognise fuel theft as organised crime
- Establish dedicated response units
- Improve data sharing between forces
- Increase visible patrols at vulnerable sites
With profit margins already razor-thin, many independent stations fear they may be forced to close if the situation doesn't improve soon.
