The Energy Secretary has been accused of making excuses for a surge in fuel thefts from UK forecourts, according to The Telegraph. The criticism follows reports that nearly £200,000 worth of fuel is being stolen every day since the start of the Iran war.
The Telegraph reports that the minister’s comments have drawn backlash from industry figures and MPs who say the response downplays the scale of the problem. The newspaper did not specify the exact remarks that prompted the accusation, but the context points to ongoing concerns about rising fuel crime during the conflict.
According to the BBC and ITVX, thieves are stealing almost £200,000 of fuel daily from petrol stations across the UK. The figures cover the period since the Iran war began, with the Middle East crisis apparently driving higher pump prices and, in turn, more incidents of drive-off thefts and other forms of fuel fraud.
The reports indicate that forecourt operators are facing significant financial losses as a result. In response, some are turning to enhanced technology to combat the problem. Scottish Grocer & Convenience Retailer reports that a company called Forecourt Eye is offering upgraded systems designed to detect and deter fuel theft in real time.
The combination of rising prices and increased theft is putting pressure on both retailers and the government to act. The Energy Secretary’s alleged dismissal of the issue, as reported by The Telegraph, may further strain relations with an industry already struggling with the fallout from the conflict.
What to watch next: whether the government introduces new measures to support forecourt owners and curb theft as the Iran war continues.
