How To Prevent Fuel Theft

Saturday, 21. May 2011

Something I’ve reported upon before is the increase in fuel theft but with the latest increase in cost at the pumps the number of thefts is increasing again. Farmers, heating oil and tankers have long been the targets of organised thieves but with an average family car holding around 60 litres of fuel this can represent about £80 (more if diesel) to regular crooks. At one stage thieves would target vans and lorries which were easy to climb under and simply puncture the tank or cut a fuel line but these thieves are now attacking cars.

There is a growing incidence of thieves busting open fuel flaps and managing to get around the anti siphoning devices fitted to many cars now. One area reported an increase of 23% in fuel thefts at the end of 2010 and Scotland reported a substantial increase in fuel thefts as a result of fuel lines being cut.

The police advise parking in a garage or against a wall or fence making it more difficult for a thief. Not all cars are fitted with lockable fuel caps so you should certainly fit one if you haven’t got one. Halfords recently reported sales of lockable fuel caps up by 54% weekly.

Be aware of where you park your car overnight, a bright, well lit place would be better than on a dark road. By Graham Hill