Fuel theft at UK petrol stations has surged since the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, with unpaid fuel losses now estimated at £194,000 a day.
The daily average of theft incidents has risen by 48 percent, and the number of events has increased by a fifth compared with the five months preceding the conflict.
Analysts examined a representative sample of 550 forecourts, comparing the periods before and after the war, and extrapolated the findings to the nation’s 8,359 petrol stations.
They estimate that 2,872 incidents occur daily post‑conflict, up from about 2,400 before, including drivers who leave without paying or claim they lack payment means.
The volume of fuel stolen has climbed 24 percent, from roughly 87,000 litres a day to 108,900 litres, translating into a projected annual loss of £70.7 million.
Petrol station operators report a rise in customer abuse, intimidation, and violence linked to the increase in theft.
In response, a new partnership has been announced to provide retailers with free access to advanced crime‑reporting tools, including a live facial‑recognition network that alerts users to known offenders.
Facial‑recognition technology has been deployed across retail crime sites in the UK, with recent government investment aimed at expanding its use, though civil liberties advocates have criticized the approach.
The conflict disrupted regional oil supplies, pushing Brent crude prices from around $70 to over $120 per barrel during the peak of hostilities.
Fuel pump prices mirrored this volatility, peaking in April, falling after a June diplomatic framework, and rising again to 159.97 pence per litre, the highest since the war began.
Drivers can compare petrol prices nationwide through a government‑run fuel‑price comparison scheme.
Similar increases in fuel theft were noted following the onset of the Russia‑Ukraine conflict in early 2022.
