The 6 biggest misconceptions we often hear about fuel theft
Fuel theft is a prevalent issue that affects everything from individuals, businesses, and even the economy. Unfortunately, it’s surrounded by numerous misconceptions that contribute to a lack of understanding and hinder people from enacting effective solutions. So, here at Tanksafe, we’re going to debunk the biggest misconceptions we commonly hear about fuel theft in the UK, and shed some more light on the realities
Fuel theft is primarily a problem for large companies
While high-profile cases involving large-scale fuel theft operations may dominate headlines, fuel theft affects everyone, from individuals to small businesses. In fact, domestic fuel theft is a significant concern, with opportunistic thieves targeting home heating oil tanks, diesel tanks, and even petrol from parked vehicles. So, while it might be the biggest companies that get the most attention, it’s actually a problem that transcends the boundaries of size and affects all segments of society.
Fuel theft is a victimless crime
This is perhaps one of the single biggest misconceptions – and one of the most damaging. Fuel theft has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the immediate victims. When fuel is stolen, it directly impacts the livelihoods of individuals and small businesses. As a result, the losses incurred by fuel theft can sometimes result in increased costs for consumers as companies try to recover their losses. Additionally, stolen fuel can be adulterated or sold through illicit channels, compromising its quality and safety standards, thereby endangering anyone who purchases it.
Fuel theft is a low-risk crime with minimal consequences
Quite the contrary! Fuel theft is a serious criminal offence with significant legal and financial consequences. Anyone caught being involved in fuel theft operations can face hefty fines and imprisonment if caught and prosecuted. What’s more, the economic impact of fuel theft on the wider society cannot be underestimated, as fuel theft contributes to rising insurance premiums, increased security expenses, and financial losses for both individuals and businesses. The end result, as we’ve touched on above, is a crime that directly and indirectly massive swathes of people – and the legal consequences reflect that accordingly.
The police refuse to prosecute fuel theft
There’s been a bit of confusion about this over the past few months. To be clear, fuel theft is very much a crime, and one that (as we’ve touched upon above) can result in serious consequences. Stealing fuel from an employer or from a petrol station (Making Off Without Payment) are both classed as an offence under the Theft Act 1968.
Consequences can include (but are not limited to):
Heavy fines, often in the thousands of pounds – but potentially unlimited
Custodial sentences of up to 7 years
Immediate termination of employment
Potential suspension or revocation of special licences (e.g. an HGV licence)
Permanent criminal record, making it hard to secure future work
The confusion about prosecution seems to have arisen from a single comment by a senior police figure in November 2024. Lincolnshire Police Superintendent Fran Harrod is quoted in media headlines at the time as saying that drivers who make off without paying “may not be having a great day”. However, while she did use those words, it’s worth considering the entire context of her comments about fuel theft. What she actually said was:
“The issue that comes with that particular crime type is whether that is an honest mistake – somebody has filled up, they’re not having a great day and they’ve driven off – or whether it’s not.”
“In those high-volume incidences when one individual has left a garage without paying, there are numerous options that assist with the finite resources policing have – and perhaps more importantly for the businesses, to get them their money back.”
In other words, Lincolnshire Police is trying to avoid spending valuable man-hours going after drivers who have simply made an honest mistake, and may be relatively easy for affected businesses to get hold of through other channels so that they can get their money back.
On the other hand, if the affected businesses (or the police) can prove there was “intent to steal”, then it comes under the Theft Act. And while things can be unfortunately sometimes tricky for petrol station forecourts, there’s no question that’s much easier to prove intent to steal when someone is caught fuel siphoning from their employer – especially in large quantities. In these instances, the full weight of the law can be brought to bear, and culprits can often find their career prospects almost permanently derailed as well.
Fuel theft can be eradicated solely through increased law enforcement
While law enforcement plays a crucial role in combating fuel theft, it’s not enough to rely solely on their efforts. Preventing fuel theft requires a multi-faceted approach involving education, awareness, and proactive measures. If you’re a business owner, it’s worth implementing effective security measures such as installing CCTV cameras, securing fuel storage tanks. For a more a more in depth guide on this, it’s worth quickly checking out our post on the best ways to prevent fuel theft.
Fuel theft only involves siphoning fuel from tanks
While siphoning fuel is one of the most common methods utilised by fuel thieves, fuel theft isn’t just limited to this technique. Thieves have become increasingly sophisticated, employing various methods such as tampering with fuel meters, using electronic devices to manipulate fuel pump readings, and even stealing fuel cards or hacking fuel management systems. What’s more, fuel theft can also a very common in-house occurrence. These practices highlight the need for comprehensive security measures beyond traditional fuel storage precautions. And that’s where we come in.
We know the importance of ensuring that your fuel is safe here at TankSafe, especially during the current rocky economic climate. Our products have been protecting vehicles from fuel theft and spillage loss for over 20 years, and our solutions have been spearheaded by the TankSafe Optimum. It’s the only security device that can offer you 3 in 1 protection by saving you from fuel spills, overfilling, and making your vehicles 100% immune to fuel theft. Our product range is protected by 45 patents covering 49 territories worldwide, so rest assured you won’t find a more efficient and reliable source of protection anywhere else.
If you have any questions regarding any of our products, or you simply need some advice, feel free to head over to our FAQs page, where we answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding our products and services. However, if it doesn’t address your queries, you can give us a call on 01253 400 401, and we’ll be happy to help however we can!