No means of payment incidents surge across the UK
THE value of fuel lost as a result of ‘no means of payment’ (NMOP) incidents has increased massively across forecourt stations.
According to new data from Forecourt Eye, the value of fuel lost from NMOP incidents has increased by 65% over the course of 50 days to and including 19 April, highlighting a rapidly worsening trend from financially stretched drivers.
The research has been taken from a sample of 500 petrol stations from across England, Scotland and Wales and found that NMOP losses rose sharply from £3,270 to £5,392 per day compared to the 50 day period leading up to the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict in Iran (28 February).
Michelle Henchoz, managing director at Forecourt Eye, said: “We have seen a concerning increase in vehicles arriving at forecourts equipped to take large volumes of fuel in a single visit, which strongly suggests it is being resold as part of an illicit fuel trade.
“The most alarming aspect is the method being used, with fuel being stored in plastic containers or improvised tanks inside vehicles, which is extremely dangerous. In the event of a collision, the consequences could be catastrophic, not just for those involved but for other road users as well.”
While the value increase can be partly attributed to the rise in fuel prices, Forecourt Eye has said the sharp spike in value loss and demonstrated a change in behaviour from motorists, with individuals taking more fuel rather than smaller amounts suggesting it has been done out of necessity over opportunity.
More concerning, the fuel crime prevention firm also believes that what initially appeared to be a short-term reaction to rising fuel prices has now developed into a more sustained shift in fuel theft and payment avoidance from motorists.
This has been further compounded by a recent report from Forecourt Eye which also found that the majority of these theft have come from first-time offenders.
Henchoz said: “We are warning forecourt operators and the public to be extra vigilant and report any incidents like this to police. We are also encouraging police forces to contact us for support with these incidents in the same way as we have recently worked with Hertfordshire Constabulary on similar cases.”
Gordon Balmer, executive director at the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “The increase in pump prices has been matched by a rise in motorists driving off without paying or claiming they have no means to pay.
“While we recognise the financial pressures many households are facing, this behaviour is having a direct and immediate impact on forecourt operators. This is not a victimless crime. When fuel is not paid for, the cost does not disappear, it is absorbed by the retailer and ultimately adds to the wider cost of running a forecourt.
“Many of our members are independent, family-run businesses operating on tight margins. They simply cannot absorb repeated losses without it affecting their ability to serve their local communities.”
