Petrol thefts have surged across the UK as rising fuel prices - driven by the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran - place increasing pressure on motorists and forecourt operators alike.
Petrol thefts rocket as fuel prices soar
New figures compiled for the BBC by fuel recovery firm Pay My Fuel show that incidents of drivers filling up and leaving without paying - known as "drive-offs" - have risen by 62% compared with a year ago.
The figures reveal growing pressure on petrol stations, with one forecourt owner reporting losses of £2,000 a week across five sites due to theft.
According to Pay My Fuel, the average number of drive-offs per fuel retailer has increased from 2.1 per week in March 2025 to 3.4 per week this year, while the average value of each theft has jumped by 46%.
Ian Wolfenden, the firm's director, said: "It's a lot worse.
"An average drive-off for one of our customers used to be £56, and now it's gone up to £67. So if you consider they're losing nearly £70 every two days, it's not insignificant."
He added that the problem is worse in less affluent areas, naming parts of east and south-east London, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham as hotspots where incidents can be three or four times higher than average.
The surge in thefts comes as fuel prices have risen significantly following the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Since the war began, the cost of filling a typical family petrol car has increased by around £14, while diesel drivers are facing an even steeper rise of approximately £27 per tank.
At the same time, efforts are being made to help motorists manage costs more effectively. The recently launched Fuel Finder scheme - a government-backed service - allows drivers to check real-time fuel prices at petrol stations nationwide, helping them find the cheapest options and avoid overpaying.