Fuel theft from petrol forecourts rises to £31.4m

Theft from petrol forecourts across the UK has risen almost 30 per cent in the past two years, according to an industry survey.

The forecourt crime statistics survey from the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS), published last week, showed that forecourt theft cost retailers £31.4 million during 2014, £6 million more than in 2012.

BOSS estimated retailers’ losses from customers driving off without payment were £21.7 million in 2014 compared to £20.4 million in 2012, while losses from customers claiming to have ‘no means of payment’ after having refuelled were £9.7 million, up from £4.2 million two years ago.

The combined loss for the average UK service station in 2014 was £3,600, an increase of £800 in 2012.

Kevin Eastwood, executive director of BOSS, said losses from forecourt crime are at an unacceptable level.

“During the last 12 months BOSS has taken steps to improve the recording and reporting of incidents,” he said. “We understand the pressure this type of crime places on police resources but by developing new and improved ways of working between police and retailers we will reduce losses and increase recovery of debts.”

BOSS is introducing Forecourt Watch schemes to forge productive working relationships between retailers and local police to help the swift detection of crime. It says losses have fallen by up to 55 per cent in areas where the scheme is run.