Numbers that drive off without paying for petrol up again

Figures from the British Oil Security Syndicate (Boss) show that the amount of forecourt crime increased by 9% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year.

However, the rate of increase has slowed as it was 20% for the second quarter of the year.

The figures include both drivers who drive off deliberately without paying and those who find that they have not brought any means of payment.

The average number of incidents per petrol station in the third quarter was 18.7, with the average amount of fuel taken up 20.5% to 56.3 litres.

Kevin Eastwood, executive director of Boss, said: “We’re getting to a stage where forecourt fuel crime costs forecourts nearly £100 million every year and it’s of great concern that incidents of this type of crime continue to grow.

“While the pace of the increase has slowed it is still putting added financial pressure on forecourt operators.

“Motorists claiming to have no means of payment is the biggest challenge facing forecourt operators and accounts for more than two-thirds of all forecourt fuel crime by value.

“Fuel crime can cost an average forecourt outlet more than £10,000 in lost revenue every year.

“In the majority of cases, motorists make a genuine mistake when they have no means to pay for fuel. We recommend that forecourt staff should follow well documented procedures, such as Payment Watch, so that motorist can return to pay either in person, via phone or online.”