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Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons drivers warned 'it's illegal' ahead of 7-year prison sentencesMotorists have been warned the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps at forecourts could

skyrocket.MotoringJames Rodger Content Editor11:51, 03 Jun 2025Motorists have been warned the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps at forecourts could skyrocket. Tthousands of criminals

are resorting to stealing fuel - with drivers warned over strict new punishments including PRISON SENTENCES Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's motorists have been warned the price of

petrol and diesel at the pumps at forecourts could skyrocket.

The DVLA warned 66,378 fuel theft incidents took place last year - a 49 per cent uptick. Between 2019 and 2024, around £6.6million of fuel was stolen in these types of incidents, according

to an investigation by Forecourt Trader.

‌ Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "Drive-offs might be seen as relatively low-level crimes in the grand scheme of things, but they are corrosive to society, damaging to

businesses and ultimately push up pump prices for law-abiding motorists and riders."

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Supermarkets are taking action to crack down on motorists stealing petrol and diesel from pumps, including pay-at-pump services. The executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association,

Gordon Balmer, said: "It is deeply concerning to see this criminal activity on the rise and its impact on those affected."

Article continues below The PRA, which represents independent fuel retailers, supermarket forecourts and service station operators, said this was "not a victimless crime".

There are new proposals included in the Crime and Policing Bill which could see drivers slapped with a £200 fine at a magistrates' court for the theft of goods. It would also come with a

seven-year prison sentence.

The Crime and Policing Bill proposes removing legislation that means theft of goods from a shop valued at up to £200 are generally dealt with at a magistrates’ court, rather than being an

offence that can be heard in a magistrates’ court or crown court.

Article continues below This would mean the maximum sentence would become seven years regardless of value.

Mr Gooding added: "Those tempted to refuel without paying need to feel there is a real threat of being caught and punished."