Police have received reports of arson attacks at petrol stations at least 80 times since 2022, meaning a fire is started at a UK forecourt more than once a month on average.
The figures, obtained by Forecourt Trader from UK police forces using Freedom of Information requests show South Yorkshire constabulary logged the most reports for arson attacks at petrol stations, recording 10 such crimes from 1 January 2022 to 1 April 2026 – equivalent to one forecourt arson attack every two months.
Arson is classified as ‘criminal damage by fire’, and many police forces were unable to separate the crime out from the umbrella category of criminal damage, meaning the true number of forecourt attacks will be significantly higher.
Nottinghamshire Police recorded at least nine attacks but the force didn’t share precise figures, declaring it logged six arson reports in 2022, and fewer than five in 2023, 2024 and 2026, stating ‘<5’ for these years to minimise the chances of individual cases being identifiable in-line with to its data-protection policies. West Midlands, Northumbria Police, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland each received six arson reports over the period in question.
North Wales Police recorded five arson incidents as not endangering life, and one as endangering human life.
Detection rates for arson attacks vary between forces. West Midlands Police failed to record any ‘positive outcomes’ for the half dozen arson attacks it recorded, nor did the Cumbrian Constabulary, meaning no suspects were charged, summonsed or issued penalties by these forces for these crimes.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland detailed that two of the six incidents of petrol-station arson it recorded were “assigned with sanction outcome”, while Cambridgeshire Police failed to catch anyone for the arson that occurred at a petrol station in its constabulary in 2022, but did apprehend a suspect for an attempted forecourt arson attack (not counted in main figures) that took place on its patch in 2024.
Sentences for arson vary depending on whether a perpetrator intended to endanger life or not and what degree of harm was caused by the resultant fire, but offenders can be given custodial sentences of up to 12 years for arson with intent to endanger life – though perpetrators can avoid prison for less serious fires, being given community orders instead.
Clare Scawthorn, technical manager for the Petrol Retailers Association says forecourt firms should “implement a range of preventative measures including good housekeeping, with regular removal of combustible waste and storage of refuse to be kept securely and away from buildings where possible.”
She adds: “External areas should be well-lit, with use of CCTV where appropriate. Fire detection and alarm systems should be regularly tested and maintained, and suitable fire extinguishers should be readily available.
“Staff should receive fire safety awareness training and be encouraged to report suspicious behaviour or security concerns. Fire risk assessments should also be undertaken to identify vulnerabilities and reviewed where necessary to ensure appropriate controls remain in place.
“Sharing information and concerns with local businesses and community policing initiatives, where available, can help to raise awareness and encourage vigilance.”
Data from the National Fire Chiefs Council shows that arson is the most common cause of fire at retail premises, with 86% of businesses never fully recovering from fires.
