Making off without payment

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/26/004603/Z

Version Date: 19/05/2026

The Performance Analysis Department has provided the following information:

Data Source

Crime information system – Niche

Data Processing:

Searches were completed for all offences in relation to ‘making off without payment’ from 1 January 2026 to 24 April 2026 as well as keyword searches within the occurrence summary and occurrence enquiry log text for the keywords ‘making off without’.

Occurrences were then manually reviewed for relevance in relation to fuel at petrol stations.

Occurrences where the OEL summary was blank have not been included in the totals as it is not possible to determine the type or location of the theft.

The number of making off without payment (MOWP) offences recorded so far this year
How many of those relate to petrol station fuel drive-offs?
Has there been an increase in these offences - particularly drive-offs - since fuel prices started to surge with the start of the war in Iran?
Any context or commentary you're able to provide alongside any numbers would be very useful.

Between 1 January and 24 April 2026, there were 40 offences of making off without payment, 38 of these were fuel related from a petrol/service station.

Between 1 January and 24 April 2025, there were 25 offences of making off without payment, two of these were fuel related from a petrol/service station.