Some fleets have reported that fuel theft is occurring in locations where criminal gangs also strip vehicles of parts, according to the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
A meeting of the industry body’s Mega Fleets Committee heard that the fleet managers experiencing these issues suspect the same criminals are responsible.
Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP, said: “Following the recent oil price spikes, some fleets are reporting a few instances of what appear to be professional fuel thefts where the tanks of commercial vehicles parked in secure depots are drilled and drained overnight.
“This is often affecting operators in the same places where vehicles are stripped for parts.
“The gangs undertaking this kind of activity are clearly expert and organised, as we know from the speed and thoroughness of their stripping and, from this handful of instances, it seems some are turning their attention to fuel with similar proficiency.
“Stealing diesel is potentially a more rewarding crime while prices at the pumps remain high.”
Despite the thefts, Hollick said, fears that fuel crime would prove to be a significant problem for larger fleets as pump prices spiked have so far proven largely unwarranted.
He added: “While disruptive, the depot thefts highlighted here are not widespread and notable largely for their professionalism.
“The Mega Fleets reported very little other fuel crime apart from a few isolated cases involving individual drivers.”
Hollick said that generally, major fleets have coped well with the fuel crisis so far.
He added: “Higher fuel prices obviously mean higher operating costs and while this is deeply unwelcome, there appears to have been little in the way of fuel supply disruption, so day-to-day operations have been largely unaffected.
“Some contingency work has been carried out by individual AFP members and plans are in place if the situation worsens, but these have not been needed so far.
“Fleets that use bunkers are managing to keep them full and also, hedging rates are staying relatively low, so there is some optimism the crisis may be over soon.”
A notable point from the Mega Fleets meeting was the impact of the current situation on the price of oil products used in workshops, he said.
Hollick added: “The wider discussion tends to emphasise pump prices but lubricants have also become substantially more expensive.
“Especially for major fleets that carry out their own servicing and buy these products in bulk, there have been sharp price rises.”
