Fuel thefts at forecourts soar as prices spike in crisis

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 05:32 · Archive

More than 50 cases of petrol and diesel theft from Norfolk forecourts have appeared in court since the Iran oil crisis began on 28 February. Fuel theft prevention company Forecourt Eye said incidents of fuel taken without payment soared by 20 per cent after the conflict started, compared with the preceding five months.

The rise in pump prices has driven up the average value of stolen fuel by almost half, with some individual thefts running into hundreds of pounds. Petrol prices have climbed to £1.74 per litre, representing a three-and-a-half-year high and about 41p more than before the conflict. Diesel has risen even faster, at £1.99 per litre, about 57p higher than prior to the war.

The court cases include both drive-offs, where there is no attempt to pay, and no means of payment incidents, where a customer fills up and claims they have no way to pay. Some defendants have been accused of multiple offences. Among recent Norfolk cases was an HGV driver alleged to have stolen more than £1,000 worth of fuel from two garages.

How it is being reported

• Fuel thefts at forecourts soar as petrol and diesel prices spike during crisisMore than 50 cases of petrol being stolen have appeared in Norfolk courts since the start of the Iran oil crisis.Norwich Evening News · 13 Oct, 05:00
• Fuel thefts at forecourts soar as petrol and diesel prices spike during crisisMore than 50 cases of petrol being stolen have appeared in Norfolk courts since the start of the Iran oil crisis.Eastern Daily Press · 13 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Norfolk · Iran · Forecourt Eye · United Kingdom

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