Fuel theft in the UK has surged by 23% since the start of the Iran war in February, with over £1.2m stolen weekly from forecourts.Shailesh Parekh, owner of six petrol stations in Birmingham, reports losses exceeding £40,000 annually due to thieves exploiting rising fuel prices and lax enforcement.Thefts now occur daily, with perpetrators ranging from opportunistic drivers to organised criminals.Police often classify these incidents as civil matters, discouraging prosecution despite the criminal nature of the acts.

The Petrol Retailers Association highlights a rise in first-time offenders driven by financial strain, while technology like automatic number plate recognition and CCTV struggles to curb theft.Legal complexities further hinder recovery, as unpaid fuel is typically treated as a civil debt unless theft is blatant.

The crisis has strained businesses, with rising operational costs and security risks, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and preventive measures.