99% of fuel thefts unpunished
Alarming new research has found that 99% of fuel thefts in the UK go unpunished.
According to police figures there were more than 25,000 fuel thefts last year, costing victims about £9m. The research was compiled through a series of Freedom of Information requests to police forces across the UK, with 23 of the 45 responding.
Statistics show there were 25,614 confirmed fuel thefts last year alone – a year-on-year decrease of 11% from 2017, although the real figure could be much higher.
Greater London was the worst-hit region, both in terms of numbers and cost, with 13,799 thefts at a cost of £1.1 million. After Greater London, the second worst-hit region was West Yorkshire, which saw 4,123 reported crimes, while Dyfed-Powys police saw thefts double in just a year, from 274 to 542.
The most common theft was motorists leaving fuel stations without paying, which accounted for 80% of all crimes reported.
