The Times: Fuel theft surges in UK amid soaring prices linked to Iran war

The United Kingdom has recorded an increase in fuel theft incidents amid a sharp rise in prices linked to the conflict in Iran, according to a report by The Times.

Even owners of luxury vehicles such as Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Mercedes AMG GT have reportedly been involved in fuel theft, the outlet said.

Data from the digital platform Forecourt Eye, which handles unpaid fuel cases, shows that in March the losses from petrol and diesel theft across 500 UK petrol stations increased by 27%, rising from £8,300 to £10,600 per day (approximately $11,000–$14,000). If extrapolated to all 8,400 petrol stations in the country, daily losses would reach around £178,000 ($240,000).

The report also notes a 22% rise in cases where drivers fill their vehicles and then claim they are unable to pay. In addition, organised groups have become more active, filling large containers in vans and driving away without payment, later reselling fuel at discounted prices along roadsides.

“You’ll see everything from a crappy Fiesta going to a Ferrari. It really depends. The people who do it are brazen. They don’t worry about covering up their faces, they will even wave at cashiers,” Essex petrol station owner Goran Raven said. “On one occasion we had an Aston Martin and Ferrari drive off within 30 seconds here. It was just short of £300 for two cars.”

Fuel theft in the UK carries a penalty of up to two years in prison. However, if the stolen amount is under £50 ($67), many petrol station staff do not report it to police, as such cases are often treated as minor offences and are rarely investigated.

According to the automotive organisation RAC, average petrol prices in the UK rose at a record pace in March: petrol increased by £0.25 to £1.58 per litre ($2.13), while diesel rose by £0.48 to £1.91 per litre ($2.57).

By Jeyhun Aghazada