Petrol Theft Surge Costs UK Forecourt Owners £2,000 Weekly as Fuel Prices Spike

Petrol theft has surged by 62% compared with a year ago, according to new figures compiled for the BBC, creating a financial crisis for UK forecourt operators already grappling with volatile fuel prices triggered by the US-Israel war with Iran^[1].

The data from fuel theft recovery company Pay My Fuel reveals that the average forecourt now experiences 3.4 drive-offs per week, up from 2.1 in March 2025^[1]. For operators with multiple sites, the financial impact is severe - one retailer with five garages in the south of England reports losses of £2,000 weekly across his portfolio^[1].

The Scale of the Problem

The UK's forecourt sector comprises thousands of independent and chain operators serving motorists across the country. According to CompanyPulse's company register^[2], which tracks 5,715,280 total UK companies, the retail fuel sector represents a significant portion of the retail trade classification.

Josh, a petrol retailer who shared CCTV footage with the BBC^[1], said he was experiencing about five drive-offs a week at each garage, compared to one or two previously. The thefts range from small amounts to substantial losses - footage shows incidents including a £14.97 motorcycle theft, a £75.15 Porsche SUV drive-off, and a white van leaving without paying for £151.53 of fuel^[1].

"There just seems to be a sort of public acceptance now that theft is okay," Josh told the BBC, noting that while some drive-offs were from people with no means to pay, most was "pure theft" that appeared "organised, pre-planned"^[1].

Financial Impact Intensifies

The average value of each drive-off has risen by 46% over the past year, from £56 to £67, according to Pay My Fuel director Ian Wolfenden^[1]. With forecourts losing nearly £70 every two days, the cumulative impact on business viability is significant, particularly for independent operators who lack the financial cushion of major chains.

The problem is notably worse in less affluent areas, where drive-off rates are three to four times higher than average^[1]. This geographical disparity creates additional challenges for operators serving communities that may already be struggling with reduced profit margins.

Pay My Fuel, which has systems across 1,400 forecourts to help recover stolen funds, has seen demand for its services surge as operators seek technological solutions to combat the theft epidemic^[1].

Fuel Price Crisis Compounds Challenges

The theft surge coincides with a severe spike in fuel prices triggered by the US-Israel war with Iran. Since the conflict began on 28 February^[3], the cost of filling a typical family car with petrol has risen by £14, while a typical tank of diesel has gone up by about £27^[1].

According to BBC analysis^[4], the war's impact on fuel prices stems from disrupted production and transportation of energy across the Middle East due to missile strikes and drone attacks. The price of Brent crude oil jumped from $73 to just below $120 at one point, though it has since fallen back below $100^[3].

RAC figures show average petrol and diesel prices started falling on 16 April after 46 days of increases - the longest run of consecutive rises on record^[4]. Petrol peaked at 158.3p a litre and diesel reached 191.5p a litre before easing slightly to 157.7p and 190.5p respectively^[3].

Geographic Distribution of Risk

The CompanyPulse database^[2] shows that UK businesses are heavily concentrated in major urban areas, with London hosting 1,052,528 companies, followed by Manchester (102,167), Birmingham (92,615), and Glasgow (70,817). This urban concentration likely extends to forecourt operations, where higher traffic volumes may offer both increased revenue opportunities and elevated theft risks.

Smaller cities and towns, including Bristol (55,765 companies), Leeds (50,289), and Cardiff (50,231), represent significant regional markets where independent forecourt operators may be particularly vulnerable to the current theft surge^[2].

Industry Response and Enforcement Challenges

Forecourt staff have faced a jump in abuse alongside the increase in thefts, creating additional operational challenges for businesses already under pressure^[1]. The government has stated that fuel thieves "must face the full force of the law" while police say forces are taking a proactive approach to the issue^[1].

However, the sheer volume of incidents - potentially exceeding 19,000 drive-offs weekly across the UK based on Pay My Fuel's data - presents significant enforcement challenges. With limited police resources and the relatively low value of individual thefts, many incidents may go unprosecuted, potentially contributing to what Josh described as a "public acceptance" of such behaviour^[1].

Looking Ahead

While fuel prices have begun to ease from their peaks, with RAC head of policy Simon Williams suggesting "the drop ought to accelerate this week as more retailers buy in new supply at lower costs"^[3], the theft problem shows no signs of abating.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes, remains a critical factor in fuel price volatility^[3]. BBC Verify analysis shows that only a handful of ships have passed through the Strait during the temporary ceasefire, compared to around 138 vessels daily under normal circumstances^[3].

For UK forecourt operators, the combination of elevated theft rates and continued price uncertainty creates a challenging operating environment. Independent operators, who often operate on thin margins and lack the negotiating power of major chains, face particularly acute pressures that may accelerate consolidation in the sector as smaller players struggle to absorb the financial impact of both increased theft and volatile wholesale costs.