Rising fuel costs linked to the Iran war are putting extra pressure on UK forecourts, with operators reporting more theft and more abuse from customers. Data cited from Forecourt Eye indicates the volume of petrol stolen each day has climbed by 24 per cent since the conflict began.
The increase comes as petrol prices reached an Iran war high of 160.85 per litre on 3 August. That jump has added to frustration at filling stations, where staff and owners are dealing with the fallout from higher pump prices as well as a rise in people driving off without paying.
The report suggests anger over the cost of fuel is increasingly being directed at petrol station operators. Forecourts are facing a tougher trading environment as they try to manage security risks, staff safety concerns and the wider impact of volatile prices.
At the same time, the Competition and Markets Authority has yet to reach a final view on the broader pricing picture. For motorists, the immediate effect is clear: higher pump prices are coinciding with more tension on UK forecourts and a noticeable rise in fuel theft.
