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Thousands of criminals are turning to fuel theft, with drivers being warned about severe new penalties including prison sentences. Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's motorists have

been alerted that petrol and diesel prices at the pumps could soar. The DVLA reported 66,378 incidents of fuel theft last year, marking a 49 per cent increase. An investigation by Forecourt

Trader revealed that between 2019 and 2024, around £6.6million worth of fuel was stolen in these types of incidents, reports Birmingham Live. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation,

commented: "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." Supermarkets are implementing measures to combat motorists stealing petrol and diesel from pumps, including pay-at-pump services. Gordon

Balmer, the executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, expressed his concern: "It is deeply concerning to see this criminal activity on the rise and its impact on those

affected." The PRA, representing independent fuel retailers, supermarket forecourts and service station operators, emphasised that this is "not a victimless crime" New

proposals in the Crime and Policing Bill could result in drivers facing a £200 fine at a magistrates' court for the theft of goods, along with a potential seven-year prison sentence.

The proposed Crime and Policing Bill aims to repeal current regulations that treat the theft of items from a shop worth up to £200 as an offence typically addressed in a magistrates'

court, rather than one that could be elevated to a crown court hearing. As a consequence, the most severe penalty would rise to seven years imprisonment, without consideration of the stolen

goods' value. Mr Gooding stated: "Those tempted to refuel without paying need to feel there is a real threat of being caught and punished." _GET ALL THE LATEST AND BREAKING

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