Forecourts face up to 3,000 attempted fuel thefts a month as petrol prices soar

Fuel prices at the M6 northbound Burton-in-Kendal service station, which is understood to be one of the most expensive places to buy fuel in the UK. Photograph: Joel Goodman/The Guardian

Rising petrol prices have led to an increase in the number of drivers trying to drive off without paying, with forecourts facing up to 3,000 attempted thefts a month on average, figures from industry experts show.

As the cost of filling up has soared in recent weeks, so has the number of incidents where motorists have either driven away without paying or claimed to have no means of payment.