Forecourt petrol thefts increase

The rise in 'bilking' is being blamed on the increase in fuel costs

A big leap in the number of people driving away from filling stations without paying for petrol has been reported in the north-east of England.

So far in 2008, incidents of what the police call bilking have almost doubled in County Durham, compared to the same time last year.

In the Northumbria force area they have increased by more than a quarter.

There has also been an rise in the theft of registration plates, with stolen ones often used in drive-offs.

In County Durham there were 195 offences of bilking, compared with 111 last year.

Stolen number plates were used in 22 cases, up from seven in the first half of 2007.

Stinger system

There were 447 reported incidents of driving off without paying in the Northumbria force area, compared with 341.

No comparative figure about stolen number plates were available.

Merril Boulton, editor of the industry magazine Forecourt Trader said: "It has always been a problem, but is obviously increasing because of the rising cost of fuel."

She added that many garages were investing in a stinger system which punctures the tyres of cars attempting to drive off without paying.

Acting detective chief inspector Gary Stephenson of Northumbria Police said the force was taking the situation very seriously.

He said: "We are looking at introducing systems to ensure we tie in with local garages and service stations, and any information regarding any suspicious activity is forwarded without delay so officers can intercept offenders.

"This is leading to an increase in the number of victims of crime throughout the area, so it is something that concerns us greatly."