Rachel Morgan
The streets surrounding UK petrol stations have become breeding grounds for brazen thieves, exploiting the rising cost of fuel to line their own pockets. According to Forecourt Eye data, incidents of fuel theft have soared by 23% since February 2026, with an estimated weekly loss of £1.2 million for British forecourts.
Shailesh Parekh, owner of six forecourts in Birmingham, recounts the shocking frequency of these crimes: "What used to be a rare occurrence has now become a regular occurrence. We're seeing people who wouldn't normally steal fuel taking advantage of the situation."
The figures are unequivocal. Between January and February 2026, Forecourt Eye reported 9,089 incidents; this jumped to 11,170 in March and April. Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association Gordon Balmer attributes the surge to rising household costs and opportunistic behaviour: "We're seeing a growing number of first-time offenders who wouldn't normally be involved in such activities."
The increasing cost of fuel has created an environment ripe for exploitation, with petrol prices climbing from 131p to 155p per litre between mid-February and June 2026, and diesel rising from 141p to 176p per litre. This means filling a standard 60-litre tank now costs around £93 for petrol (up from £79) and £106 for diesel (up from £85).
Despite significant investment in security measures such as extensive CCTV systems, garage owners like Parekh express frustration over the perceived lack of police intervention. Many incidents go unreported due to the lengthy and often fruitless reporting process.