SHOCKING figures show there have been more than 3,000 fuel thefts across West Mercia in recent years – but few of these ‘brazen’ criminals ever get caught.
In total, 3,727 incidents of people making off without payment for fuel have been recorded by West Mercia Police between 2021 and 2025, according to figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act.
Phil Marsh, manager of family-run Clerkenleap Service Station, said in April that fuel thefts have gone up by ‘three times’ at his service station off the A38 Bath Road in Worcester during the US-Iran war, branding the thieves ‘brazen’.
He now believes an ANPR camera system should be used to identify vehicles used in fuel thefts as part of an early warning system – but it would require both co-operation, a shared will for change and investment.
IDEAS: Polly and Phil Marsh at the Clerkenleap Service Station are open to new ideas on how to reduce fuel thefts (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
He believes the technology would allow intelligence to be shared across different forecourts in Worcestershire, enabling businesses to keep one step ahead of the criminals and reduce their losses, adapting quickly to the situation.
How many people end up in court for fuel thefts?
The data shows that between 2021 and 2025, only 46 people were charged, summonsed or subject to a postal requisition for the offence of making off without payment in relation to fuel.
However, reported fuel thefts do appear to be declining, although no data for 2026 was published in the FOI response. Fuel prices spiked earlier in the year because of the US-Iran War, and higher prices at the pumps can increase the incidence of fuel theft.
ROBUST: Chief Inspector Dan Pilkington says West Mercia Police is working closely with retailers to tackle fuel thefts in Worcestershire (Image: West Mercia Police)
Prices have been falling at the pumps in Worcester. We reported in April how Sainsbury’s Blackpole was charging 153.9p for unleaded and 190.9p for diesel. Prices have dropped to 149.9p for unleaded and 161.9p for diesel.
Another of the cheaper forecourts – St Peter’s Tesco – was charging 153.9p for unleaded and 191.9p for diesel in April. Prices are now down to 149.9p and 161.9p respectively.
READ MORE: High petrol prices in Worcester see rise in fuel thefts
A total of 482 fuel thefts were recorded in West Mercia in 2025, compared to 707 in 2024, 742 in 2023, 1,041 in 2022 and 755 in 2021.
Fuel theft suspects difficult to identify
Meanwhile, where a named suspect could be identified, and the victim supports police action, ‘evidential difficulties’ prevented further action in 636 cases between 2021 and 2025.
In 2,239 cases between 2021 and 2025, the suspect could not be identified. This was because either the crime was investigated ‘as far as reasonably possible’ and the case was closed ‘pending further investigative opportunities’, or because a crime was confirmed but the victim either declined, or was unable, to support a police investigation to identify the offender.
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Mr Marsh of Clerkenleap Service Station said: “I suppose from a police point of view, I don’t think fuel theft is a very high priority, which is probably wrong because, if they’re stealing fuel, they’re probably stealing other stuff and there’s a chance the vehicle is not taxed and does not have an MOT or insurance.”
However, the 68-year-old was cognizant of the challenges faced by police officers.
THEFTS: Fuel thefts in West Mercia Police force area have numbered more than 3,000 over the last few years. (Image: Getty Images)
For example, some drivers use cloned plates, which makes the thieves harder to identify and vehicles harder to trace.
Other challenges include the often grainy footage from cameras high up on the forecourt canopy. Meanwhile, the faces of offenders could be obscured by people wearing hoodies or other clothing. This is in contrast to the clearer CCTV images recorded inside filling station shops, which help tackle other thefts and shoplifting offences.
ANPR camera system a possibility at forecourts
He says an ANPR camera system could be used as part of an ‘early warning system’ combined with a local intelligence network.
Mr Marsh argues that if this information is shared across forecourts in Worcestershire, even if a suspect vehicle is being driven on cloned plates, it can be quickly flagged to other filling stations. They could then respond in real time by refusing to authorise the pumps for that vehicle, reducing thefts.
Mr Marsh described how staff called the police when a driver made off without payment two years ago at Clerkenleap. Because the alarm was raised so quickly, the motorist was stopped by a police patrol car as he headed towards junction 7 of the M5, a result he described as ‘very satisfying’.
“There was no skill. It was just luck that the driver passed a patrol car,” he said.
He added: “I think investment (in the technology is the only way to do this.”
Reaction from Petrol Retailers Association
Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA): said: “Forecourt operators are facing a growing challenge as rising fuel prices coincide with an increase in fuel theft.
“While many households are under financial pressure, the cost of these losses falls directly on retailers, creating an immediate impact on businesses that are already operating during challenging economic times. It is not a victimless crime.’
“Every instance of fuel theft has real consequences for local forecourts. Many of our members are independent, family-run businesses working on tight margins; these repeated losses can undermine their ability to invest, grow and continue serving their communities.”
What West Mercia Police says about fuel thefts
Chief Inspector Dan Pilkington said: “Making off without payment is not a victimless crime. It has a significant impact on local businesses and communities, and we take every report seriously.
“While the number of cases resulting in a charge or summons may appear low when viewed in isolation, these outcomes do not include an Out of Court resolution which is used extensively.
“Each investigation is assessed on the evidence available. To secure a prosecution, we must meet the evidential threshold set by the Crown Prosecution Service, and this is not always possible where suspects cannot be identified or there is insufficient evidence to support a realistic prospect of conviction.
“We continue to work closely with retailers, businesses and partner organisations to prevent offences, improve the quality of evidence available, and identify repeat offenders. This includes encouraging the timely reporting of incidents, promoting the use of good-quality CCTV and witness evidence, and using intelligence to target those responsible for persistent offending.”
