Latest news with #crimeincrease
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Fuel thefts up 49% in a year as repeat offenders are ‘pushing their luck'
Fuel thefts from UK filling stations have soared by 49% in a year, new figures suggest, leading an expert to claim repeat offenders are 'pushing their luck more than ever'. Forecourt owners attempted to trace offenders over 66,378 incidents between February and April, according to data obtained by motoring research charity the RAC Foundation and the PA news agency. That is up from 44,631 during the same period last year. The RAC Foundation said the rise could be caused by serial offenders increasing their theft rates as they believe police forces are under too much pressure elsewhere to focus on the issue. The figures relate to the number of requests made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for vehicle keeper data in relation to fuel theft. Most of the incidents are likely to relate to drive-offs – also known as bilking – where someone fills up their vehicle with no intention of paying, and then leaves. A recent investigation by trade publication Forecourt Trader found £6.6 million of fuel was stolen in these incidents in the five years to the end of 2024. This is based on data provided by 33 UK police forces in response to freedom of information requests. RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: 'It would be tempting to suspect that the cost-of-living crisis is pushing normally law-abiding people into committing this type of offence, but that would be an insult to the vast majority of people who continue to obey the law whatever their circumstances. 'Repeat criminals might well be pushing their luck more than ever because they believe other pressures on the police are such that they'll get away with it. '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. ' More is being done to prevent these crimes through adoption of better surveillance systems and pay-at-pump options, but the numbers suggest the problem has been getting worse, with tens of thousands of drive-away fuel thefts each year. 'Those tempted to refuel without paying need to feel there is a real threat of being caught and punished.' Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents independent fuel retailers as well as supermarket and motorway service station operators, said: 'It is deeply concerning to see this criminal activity on the rise and its impact on those effected. 'This is not a victimless crime and has a major impact on fuel retailers, many of which are family-run forecourts who are already struggling under current economic uncertainty.' The maximum penalty for drivers convicted of making off without payment, an offence under the Theft Act 1978, is two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. The Crime and Policing Bill proposes removing legislation that means theft of goods from a shop valued at up to £200 are generally dealt with at a magistrates' court, rather than being an offence that can be heard in a magistrates' court or crown court. This would mean the maximum sentence would become seven years regardless of value. Existing legislation means offenders 'perceive they can get away with shop theft of goods to the value of £200 or less', according to the Ministry of Justice.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Home burglaries rise sharply in Dyfed-Powys Police force area
The Dyfed-Powys Police area has reported the highest percentage increase in residential burglaries in Wales and England, according to latest ONS force, which covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys, reported a 27% increase in the year to December mechanic Dafydd Jones, 27, who recently had thousands of pounds worth of tools stolen from his shed in Ceredigion, said the rise in crime was a "big worry".Dyfed-Powys Police said its transition to a new crime reporting system was partly behind the rise for 2024, adding the actual increase was 26%.The force said its officers were committed to attending and investigating residential burglaries. The ONS data indicated a 7% decrease in reports of residential burglaries across Wales and England as a Jones found £3,000-£4,000 worth of tools stolen from his farm shed in Ffair Rhos, Ceredigion, when he came home from work on 12 said many of the tools stolen were ones he needed for his work as a mechanic, while others had personal value such as tools that were inherited with his farm and others which he bought as an apprentice car technician. 'I'll never forget about this' Mr Jones, who reported the incident to the police, said it had had a massive impact on his daily life."I'll never forget about this and I'll always be thinking about it," he said."Even when I go out to the shops, or to check on the sheep, I'll be thinking 'could someone be robbing the shed?'"It's just not nice when you've worked so hard for your money and to buy everything you need."Mr Jones said a rise in rural crime and burglaries had become a big worry for people in his local area."There's a lot of rural crime going on at the moment, with quadbikes and farming tools being taken."Other people that I've spoken to are scared of their stuff being taken as well."Mr Jones said he understood it was difficult for the police to monitor everything, especially in rural areas, but felt the issue was not being taken seriously enough."There should be more of a hunger to find the people responsible." In the Dyfed-Powys Police force area, ONS figures showed Powys had seen the highest increase in residential burglaries in Wales, with an 81% spike in the year to December 2024. In Ceredigion, the ONS data showed a 60% increase in residential burglaries in the same period while Carmarthenshire saw a 50% rise.A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: "While it is difficult to comment on the exact reason for the increase in reports of burglaries, we are aware of national reporting issues due to our transition to a new crime system in 2023 which led to the figures being more than they should be in 2024."Measures have been taken to correct the figures however this may not be reflected in the published ONS data."In amended figures provided by Dyfed-Powys Police, the force reported a 26% rise in residential burglaries in its area, meaning it still had the highest percentage increase in residential burglaries in Wales and England over the period. Powys saw a rise of 55% in the amended figures, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire reported a 27% and 26% increase respectively while Pembrokeshire – also in the force area – saw a smaller increase of 1%.The force said it "acknowledged the significant impact that crimes of this nature have on victims and the worry it can cause to the wider community".It said police forces across Wales and England had implemented a new policy in 2023 to ensure police attend every reported residential dwelling said its officers were committed to attending and investigating burglaries and urged the public to continue reporting them. How can I protect my home from burglars? The charity Crimestoppers recommends taking the following steps to protect your property from burglar alarms with flashing lights and sounders at the front and back Switch lights or a radio on when you go outCheck that all doors and windows are properly closed and lockedMake sure side and back gates are secureDon't leave garden tools outside, keep ladders out of sight and ensure sheds, garages and outbuildings are lockedFit tamper-proof automatic outside security lightsEven when you're at home, try not to leave accessible windows open at night
CTV News
24-05-2025
- CTV News
WPS see rise in violent crimes
According to Windsor police, the amount of violent crime in the city is up 16 per cent.
