UK Drivers Take To Fuel Theft amid War-Driven Price Surge
Drivers in the United Kingdom have started filling up their tanks without paying for the fuel as driving costs surge on the fuel supply crunch driven by the war in the Middle East. The crimes include people driving off after filling up without paying and people claiming they cannot pay for the fuel they had acquired. According to data from fuel crime prevention platform Forecourt Eye, drivers in…
United Kingdom drivers are engaging in fuel theft as rising costs due to the Middle East war lead to a supply crunch. Forecourt Eye reports drivers have stolen fuel worth nearly $270,000 daily since the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran began in February, a 24% increase in frequency. Value-wise, theft rose by 48% from pre-war levels.
UK gasoline prices hit $2.15 per liter, diesel nearing 2022 peaks. Forecourt Eye plans to partner with facial recognition firms for retailers to access thief data from autumn. The war-induced fuel crunch surpasses simple Persian Gulf crude oil flow disruptions. Gulf states exported refined products alongside crude, and while alternative export routes have emerged, reduced refineries outside the region have exacerbated gasoline and diesel shortages.
The recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries and diesel export ban have added to global fuel scarcity, with Russia's diesel exports dropping drastically. High diesel utilization rates among U.S. refiners and record output have not curbed rising crack spreads, indicating sustained high fuel prices. Energy experts warn the diesel supply crunch is dire, as diesel powers critical industries like agriculture, construction, and mining.
Written by urgent.news from OilPrice's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
