‘A guy did a runner in a Jaguar’: the petrol theft scandal – and the garage owner struggling to stop it

A guy did a runner: ner: Birmingham's Petrol Theft Crisis Deepens Wanderstayfinder.com – What appears to be an ordinary suburban petrol station in

A Guy Did a Runner: Birmingham’s Petrol Theft Crisis Deepens

Wanderstayfinder.com – What appears to be an ordinary suburban petrol station in Birmingham has transformed into a hotspot for opportunistic thieves. Shailesh Parekh, the 62-year-old proprietor of six forecourts throughout the city, finds himself constantly vigilant against a growing problem. While some fuel runners are easily identifiable—approaching pumps wearing face masks—recent incidents involving less obvious drivers mean that every motorist is now potentially suspect. As Parekh often says, “A guy did a runner” can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

“It could be anyone,” Parekh remarks, maintaining his usual state of alertness. He is currently hosting a visitor at his Erdington location, situated approximately five miles from Birmingham’s central district. In years past, motorists speeding away with an unfilled tank represented a rare occurrence, often becoming the subject of conversation for months. Those tranquil times have vanished completely.

“In the last three years, it’s been very bad,” Parekh explains from his back office, where a screen displays live CCTV feeds covering every corner of the forecourt.

The Rising Tide of Fuel Theft

The situation deteriorated considerably following the commencement of hostilities in Iran during February. During the opening week of July alone, three individuals fled without settling their bills. June proved even worse, with twelve people driving off without payment. Across all six of his stations, Parekh estimates that fuel theft exceeded £40,000 throughout the previous year. Identifying potential offenders has become increasingly difficult.

Historically, such thefts were perpetrated by organized criminal groups or fugitives who had recently stolen vehicles. That pattern has shifted dramatically. “I had a guy all suited and booted do a runner in a Jaguar,” Parekh recalls. Thieves now employ various disguises, including hi-vis jackets to mimic construction workers. Just prior to my visit, at a different location, a man described as looking like a farmer loaded £140 worth of petrol into his vehicle and departed without paying. It’s become so common that when a guy did a runner, it barely raises an eyebrow anymore.

Parekh observes that criminals have grown bolder and more casual in their approach. “They come right in front of you, because they have no fear.” This phenomenon extends well beyond his personal establishments. According to Forecourt Eye, which manages transactions for roughly 1,000 UK garages, fuel theft incidents climbed by 23% since the Iran conflict began. Numbers jumped from 9,089 during January and February to 11,170 in March and April.

The Times calculates that weekly losses from forecourts now surpass £1.2 million. Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, notes that first-time offenders are increasingly common. Many are attempting to take advantage of the situation, driven by rising household expenses combined with opportunistic behavior.

These soaring levels of theft come amid rising fuel prices, which have shot up after the successive crises of Covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Iran war.

The RAC reports that diesel prices peaked at 199.09p per litre in 2022 before declining. Between mid-February and June 2026, petrol costs increased from 131p to 155p per litre, while diesel climbed from 141p to 176p. Consequently, filling a 60-litre tank with petrol rose from £79 to £93, and diesel filling increased from £85 to £106.

Parekh jokes that his stations contain “more CCTV cameras than Birmingham airport,” yet pursuing offenders often proves futile. “Half of the runners, we don’t even report them. It’s such a mission,” he explains. Although CCTV footage and registration numbers should facilitate identification, the legal landscape remains complicated. Intentionally leaving without payment constitutes a criminal offense, though convictions remain uncommon for isolated incidents.

When drivers depart accidentally or discover afterward that they cannot pay, the unpaid sum typically becomes a civil debt rather than a criminal matter. Proving deliberate intent requires clear evidence. If a driver fills up but cannot immediately settle the bill, the forecourt owner must pursue recovery independently. Those caught and prosecuted face potential imprisonment of up to two years alongside financial penalties. One particularly active thief in Kent received a 16-month sentence after admitting to stealing from nine stations in 2024.

Not every culprit simply drives away. Some utilize the pump, then enter the shop to announce they have no money, leaving owners with limited recourse since “we can’t retrieve our fuel from their tank.” Balmer adds that many first-time offenders view this approach similarly to obtaining a payday loan. Whether it’s a guy did a runner scenario or a more deliberate act, the financial burden on garage owners continues to mount.