{"id":43976,"date":"2023-11-07T17:19:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T17:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lethal-industry.com\/?p=43976"},"modified":"2023-11-07T17:19:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T17:19:47","slug":"shocking-rise-of-fuel-theft-from-petrol-stations-revealed-as-brits-warned-dont-fill-up-if-you-cant-pay-up-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lethal-industry.com\/world-news\/shocking-rise-of-fuel-theft-from-petrol-stations-revealed-as-brits-warned-dont-fill-up-if-you-cant-pay-up-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Shocking rise of fuel theft from petrol stations revealed as Brits warned 'don't fill up if you can't pay up' | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
BRIT filling stations are suffering an upsurge in petrol theft – and it could be down to "systematic criminal activity".<\/p>\n
New data obtained by the RAC Foundation shows there were 39,563 incidents between July and September this year – a 77% rise from 22,335 over the same period last year.<\/p>\n
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This shock rise has seen a fourfold increase with 8,558 incidents reported in that same three-month period in 2019.<\/p>\n
And most of these incidents are likely related to to drive-offs – also referred to as 'bilking' – when someone fills up their vehicle without paying, and then leaves.<\/p>\n
The British Oil Security Syndicate – which campaigns to reduce crime on forecourts – has estimated the practice costs filling stations an average of \u00a310,500 each per year.<\/p>\n
The maximum penalty for drivers convicted of making off without payment, an offence under the Theft Act 1978, is two years in prison and\/or an unlimited fine.<\/p>\n