Why have fuel theft cases quadrupled since 2019?

Fuel theft is a nigh-constant concern for fleet managers, which is one of the reasons some of the latest headlines around fuel theft might have understandably caused worry. In a nutshell, recent research by the RAC found that fuel theft cases have increased fourfold in the last five years – demonstrating that decent fuel theft prevention devices are just as relevant as ever. So, here’s what you need to know.

What’s going on?

Data compiled by the RAC Foundation reveals a significant increase in incidents, with 39,563 recorded between July and September this year. That marks a 77% surge from 22,335 during the same period last year. This rise also represents a fourfold jump from 8,558 incidents reported in those three months in 2019.

According to estimates from the British Oil Security Syndicate, these incidents incur an average cost of £10,500 per year for filling stations.

The majority of these incidents are likely to involve drive-offs, also known as bilking. This is the term for what happens when individuals pump fuel into their vehicles and then leave without paying. This is classified as an offense under the Theft Act 1978, and people caught doing it can face a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Why is that happening?

To be honest, there’s no clear answer indicated in the data at the moment – it’s fairly open to interpretation. The head of the RAC Foundation, Steve Gooding, has said that personally they come as “no surprise” to him.

“Among all the recent media attention given to the epidemic of shoplifting, it should probably come as no surprise to find that the theft of petrol and diesel from forecourts looks to be a big and growing problem, and these figures might only hint at a much bigger issue.”

"While it may be that the cost of living crisis is tempting some people to risk driving off without paying, the real headache for fuel suppliers is if this is a sign of more systematic criminal activity," he added.

"The message to anyone tempted to bilk the service station must be 'don't fill up if you can't pay up' because getting caught is a real possibility, and financial losses to companies ultimately lead to higher prices for us all."

However, it’s important to note that it’s obviously a relatively educated guess from a senior industry figure – but it’s still technically speculative at this stage.

What does this mean for you?

Regardless of whether there’s actual systemic criminal activity involved (and at the moment that’s still speculation), what it does show is that fuel prices are still high enough that drivers are willing to knowingly resort to criminal methods to spare themselves from the heavy costs. And with skimming still a common practice, those economic circumstances means your fuel is at risk too.

That’s where we come in.

Here at TankSafe, we offer a solid range of fuel theft devices, encompassing both TankSafe Optimum and TankSafe Shield.

They’re designed to be highly effective against internal and external threats alike. Even if someone has had the tenacity to make their way onto your premises, and they've not been deterred by numerous security measures, fuel theft devices still provide the perfect protection. TankSafe Optimum is the ideal choice for providing flawless peace of mind – it uses a patented design to effectively prevent 100% of fuel theft.

You can read more about how TankSafe Optimum works, or don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team here at TankSafe if you have any further questions about the best ways to protect your fuel in 2024. Give us a quick call on 01253 400 401, and we'll be happy to help however we can!"