Fuel theft has risen dramatically across Kent as petrol prices at the pump soar, new figures show.
Kent Police said there have been 24 per cent more reports of motorists driving off without paying from the county’s garages and service stations compared to last year.
Figures obtained by Kent on Sunday reveal there were 896 such offences in January to May 2008 – up from 730 during the same period last year.
Meanwhile, siphoning theft has risen from 89 offences in January to May 2007 to 123 this year – an increase of nearly 40 per cent.
In the 12 months to June 2008 the average price for a litre of diesel has risen by 40 per cent to £1.32, while the average price for petrol is £1.18.
And the Tunbridge Wells-based Freight Transport Association (FTA) warned that fuel theft could escalate further.
“The higher the price of fuel gets the more incidents there will be,” said spokesman Geoff Dossetter.
The South East National Farmers’ Union said members had reported an increase in thefts of red diesel, which is used to power farm equipment.
Petrol giant BP told KoS that it loses more than £1 million a year nationally through motorists driving off without paying.
Brian Macdowall, Kent spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, said, “Soaring fuel prices will force garage owners to insist on pre-payments to combat rising levels of crime at the pump.”
He raised concerns that if fuel prices continued to soar, small petrol stations could be forced to close.
Kent Police said it was attempting to deter fuel thieves through a poster campaign at the county’s petrol stations.
A spokeswoman said driving away without paying for petrol or diesel could result in a criminal record.
She added: “We also urge those with static tanks of fuel to make sure they are secure and to use chains and padlocks where possible.
“Farmers and those living in more isolated locations can join 'Country Eye', which is similar to Neighbourhood Watch schemes.”
Asked if the company would consider switching to a ‘pay at the pump’ scheme, where motorists have to pay before filling up, BP said: “We are constantly reviewing and updating our security.”
A spokeswoman from Morrisons said: “Morrisons takes the issue of 'drive offs' very seriously and have introduced a range of preventative measures, including increased security systems, surveillance and colleague training across their stores.
“All incidents are reported to the police and evidence supplied in order that offenders can be prosecuted.”
BP said ‘drive offs’ were dangerous for other customers on the forecourt if thieves drove off at high speeds.
Ray Holloway, of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “The value of the loss is greater [to petrol stations] because the value of fuel is greater.”
But he said that fuel theft was not “out of hand” and that there had always been problems with the crime.
A farmer’s wife from County Durham died from a heart attack after disturbing a man raiding the farm’s tank this week.
Isobel Bretherton, spokeswoman for the South East NFU, confirmed there has been a recent increase in the region in the theft of red diesel.
POSTED: 29/06/2008 08:00:00
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