Individuals-Bristol-Forecourt-March-2026-Pic1

Source: Forecourt Eye

Opportunism has seen plastic drinks bottles filled with fuel

Rising fuel prices coupled with increasing boldness from drivers have led to the value of fuel drawn during no-means-of-payment (NMOP) incidents rise by 65%, while opportunism has seen motorists fill drinks bottles with fuel.

Comparing figures from the 50 days leading up to the Iranian conflict with the 50 after show no-means-of-payment losses have risen from £3,270 to £5,392 a day across 500 filling stations.

The number of NMOP incidents rose by 20% at the 500 sites, from 43 to 55 a day, while the volume of fuel taken was up 35%, from 2,214 to 2,990 litres.

Such behaviours see drivers fill up with fuel then enter a forecourt shop claiming to be unable to pay for it – a move that makes the practice a civil matter rather than the criminal offence drive-offs comprise.

Forecourt Eye, which compiled the figures, says the number of NMOP incidents carried out by first-time offenders – IE those not on its blacklist – now stands at 23%, up from 20% in March.

The firm also warns that drive-offs were up 10% over the 100-day period, and that organised thieves have been filling up large plastic containers concealed in vans before leaving the forecourt without entering the shop.

Concealed-container-van-drive-off (April2026)

Source: Forecourt Eye

Containers hidden in a van being filled with fuel during a robbery

Michelle Henchoz, the firm’s managing director comments: “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.

Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, says: “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.”

Balmer adds that many retailers ”are independent, family-run businesses operating on tight margins”, who “simply cannot absorb repeated losses without it affecting their ability to serve their local communities.” 

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